Did you ask the mom before you gave him the candy? Because clearly she'd already told him no, and if you just handed him one anyway, then she had every right to complain about you. You undermined a parent and taught the kid that if they pitch a big enough fit a stranger will swoop in to help.

Butt out. The mother already said no. She's the mother. If he's throwing a fit, he definitely doesn't deserve any candy now.

Let me guess your a man.....

Grooming him for what? A dog show?

Hi guys

Never give a child anything without their parents' permission first. You may have meant well, but when their parents say no, it's no.

YDI: you deserved the complaint for not asking the mom about giving the kid a sucker. Mom's answer is law. FYL: she should not have insinuated you're a pedophile. That's just ridiculous and sad and wrong.

Offer free candy: Child grooming / Reinforcing "get what I want by crying" Deny free candy: Greedy corporation not giving anything back to the community Can't win.

To be polite you should have asked the mom first. But I understand you had good intentions, the mom over-reacted.

Never give a child candy without asking the parent permission first. The child could be allergic to certain dyes, perhaps isn't allowed to have sugar, or may be diabetic. You honestly don't know so it's better to always just ask