Felony? Babysitter hits 7 year old 20 times with belt, no serious injuries

[Deb in IA]

Absolutely. Hitting a child with anything other than an open hand (i.e. fist, belt, spoon, wooden paddle, foot) is against the law. No need to discuss.

I would submit then, that many, many parents break this "law" every day.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

You really know people who hit their children with "stuff"?

 

[NikitaZee]

Disgusting. She'd have to hide from my husband if she did that to my kid.
There's not a crime she could commit here in the US that would give her a punishment of 20 lashes with a belt. Any lashes, at all, with a belt. You bet I think she should get a felony charge.

 

[Tinkh]

Absolutely a felony in my opinion!If an adult were beat with an item 20 times, we would all be appalled. In what sick world is it ok to beat anyone 20 times or even 10???

 

[Pigeon]

Yes, and I'd feel the same way if she was the kid's parent.

 

[Acklander]

I would submit then, that many, many parents break this "law" every day.

I've never seen a law like this. I've heard many people complain about how they're not allowed to discipline their kids without someone calling social services on them, but I just always figured it was someone projecting their frustration over some law that doesn't even exist so they can get all riled up about it - sort of like one of those Snope stories that every one gets all upset about just to find out the story was made up

 

[kidshop]

But what she was charged with has nothing to do with whether she was the parent or not. If it was the mom who smacked him 20 times with a belt, should she still be charged with felony assault causing bodily injury and child endangerment? Her charges are simply based on the fact that a child was struck 20 times with a belt.

She should be. Hitting anyone for any reason 20 times with a belt should be assault. It should be worse to assault a child who cannot defend themselves, but the only people it is ever ok to beat are children.

 

[Coconut36]

If he wasn't hurt why the trip to the pediatrician? And yes, not her child, she has no right to beat him with a belt. (personally I don't think you should beat your own child but that's a different thread)

Ditto this. If there was no harm why a trip to the Dr? When you babysit a child not your own I think corporal punishment is off the table. If you can't agree to that you need not babysit.

And 20 times is excessive IMO even when it was "back in the day"

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Just because the child wasn't hurt makes it okay? I'd give the babysitter 20 lashes myself when I found out about this. But guess what? I'd probably go to jail for it so you know what, sent her butt up the river.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Absolutely. Hitting a child with anything other than an open hand (i.e. fist, belt, spoon, wooden paddle, foot) is against the law. No need to discuss.

I know, the law varies from state to state. Generally, it's considered abuse, if the child is injured, or a mark is present.

 

[ccgirl]

I would submit then, that many, many parents break this "law" every day.

Really? You know many, many parents that beat their children? So sad for those kids.

I've never seen a law like this. I've heard many people complain about how they're not allowed to discipline their kids without someone calling social services on them, but I just always figured it was someone projecting their frustration over some law that doesn't even exist so they can get all riled up about it - sort of like one of those Snope stories that every one gets all upset about just to find out the story was made up

You are allowed to discipline. Whipping your child 20 times with a belt is not discipline to me.

I know, the law varies from state to state. Generally, it's considered abuse, if the child is injured, or a mark is present.

Maybe that's it. The law in MA is open hand only and no mark/bruise present. If the child ever had a bruise and told Dr, Nurse, teacher (mandatory reporters) that their parent spanked them it would get reported to social services and investigation would be opened. If the child is hit with anything other than an open hand it is against the law and considered child abuse or considered assault or battery (or both) can't remember. I thought it was the same in every state but I guess not.

 

[hambirg]

Do you think she should be charged with felony assault, when just a few years ago, I'll bet many parents did this routinely?

Maybe even your own parents?

Discuss.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A Cedar Rapids babysitter has been charged with a felony after she allegedly hit a young boy 20 times with belt for swearing.

Constance L. Cockhren, 46, has been charged with child endangerment and assault causing bodily injury. She is accused of whipping a 7-year-old boy’s buttocks 20 times with the belt on Aug. 2 at her residence, 1802 Grande Ave. SE, police said.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the boy was not seriously hurt, but was taken to a pediatrician after the incident. The boy’s mother reported the incident to police.

A warrant was issued for Cockhren’s arrest. Officers arrested her on Aug. 30 and she was taken to the Linn County Jail. She has since been released and is under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Corrections, according to online court records.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 20.

To the bolded.

TWENTY times...

With a belt...

Book her......

This isn't the case of a parent spanking a child. I'm guessing that the prosecutors are thinking that this is felony assault because it was committed during another crime of child abuse. She is a "caregiver" and hitting the child 20 TIMES. . .with a BELT, is child abuse.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If that was my child I'd be the one in jail - because I would have strangled her.

I can't imagine anyone thinking it would be okay for a parent to do this to a child, much less a babysitter.

Let her sit in jail for a little while.

 

[hambirg]

If that was my child I'd be the one in jail - because I would have strangled her.

I can't imagine anyone thinking it would be okay for a parent to do this to a child, much less a babysitter.

Let her sit in prison for a long while.

*fixed

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I say skip the jail and give the father a chance to whip the babysitter with a belt 20 times and then call it even.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Father nothing, as the mother I'm sure I'd do more damage to the sitter.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Maybe that's it. The law in MA is open hand only and no mark/bruise present. If the child ever had a bruise and told Dr, Nurse, teacher (mandatory reporters) that their parent spanked them it would get reported to social services and investigation would be opened. If the child is hit with anything other than an open hand it is against the law and considered child abuse or considered assault or battery (or both) can't remember. I thought it was the same in every state but I guess not.

Laws vary by state. OT but someone recently listed all the states that still allow corporal punishment in schools.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Father nothing, as the mother I'm sure I'd do more damage to the sitter.

I went for father for the added strength he could put behind his whipping. Mad as I would be DH would be just as mad and he could deliver a good beating to her behind. Plus that beast of a woman whipped somebody weaker than her so I choose somebody stronger than her to deliver her *** whooping.

 

[nmmom95]

If that was my child I'd be the one in jail - because I would have strangled her.

I can't imagine anyone thinking it would be okay for a parent to do this to a child, much less a babysitter.

Let her sit in jail for a little while.

Absolutely agree with this.

 

[shortbun]

Yeah, popcorn is definitely in order.

20X with a belt, 7yo, not her child....yeah, child endangerment. It could have ended much differently and she's lucky it didn't.

Although I've never hit a child, I'd have no problem with butt swats with a hand on the bottom-not 20 but 3 or 4. 20 belt whips indicates that the adult was out of control, imho. Thus, the child was in danger, by her.