Torrington, CT asked in Child Custody, Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Tennessee

Q: Is it a punishable offense to repeatedly “whip” a child with a belt to the point bruises are visible days later?

A parent has repeatedly used a belt on a 5 year old to where bruises of various colors are visible by the other parent. The parents are separated, never married and have 50/50 visitation. The children are returned to the primary custodial parent with bruises and have been threatened to not tell so the children say “I fall a lot.” The abusive parent has threatened the children to not talk to their therapist or are tell anyone, if they do they will never see that parent again. The children are 5 and 7 years old.

2 Lawyer Answers
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Cleveland, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: Yes. That is child abuse.

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Cleveland, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: Yes. It is child abuse.

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