I've heard of a lot of out-of-line behaviors that have earned kids a whupping, but not playing catch the right way is a first.
California dad Anthony Sanchez has been arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse after a neighbor posted a video of him allegedly whipping his stepson on YouTube.
It all began one Sunday afternoon when Oscar Lopez looked out his window to see Sanchez -- an elected water agency director -- hitting his son with a belt while they tossed the ball around in the backyard. "As it went on, I realized I wasn't just looking at a parent disciplining a child," Sanchez told NBC News. That's when he began taping the incident and further got involved by yelling out the window.
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"That's enough ****stick, that's enough," he shouted.
"Are you having a problem with the way I'm raising my son?" Sanchez responded.
"I'm having a f****** problem with you for beating the s*** out of him because he won't catch the damn ball," yelled back Lopez.
"Do you know my son?" asked Sanchez.
"I don't know your son but I'm watching you. I'm a f****** father too," said Lopez, who was so outraged over the way the kid was being treated, he uploaded the video to the web and it caught the attention of sheriff's department, which began an investigation. Sanchez eventually turned himself in, was released on $100,000 bail, and resigned from his job.
The incident is heartbreaking to watch. The video clearly shows that boy being hit repeatedly between attempts to catch a ball. I thought, "There is no excuse for this." I was furious. However those feelings ebbed a bit when I saw the boy's maternal grandfather, Terry Grammer, being interviewed on the Today show.
He defended Sanchez's actions. "First of all, it wasn't about playing catch," he said. "People who know the history ... Anthony is in a difficult position ... he is trying to be a stepfather for a child that has some behavioral issues."
He went on to explain that the boy has ADHD, which causes severe behavioral problems, and that they have tried time-outs and other methods of discipline, but spanking has been the only thing that has worked. Apparently that particularly day, the child was misbehaving, mouthing off, and saying mean things, episodes the family dubs as "bad days."
Now, I personally do not believe in spanking. And I don't agree with what Sanchez did, but in California, spanking your child is not against the law. Yes, the video is disturbing, but this parent may have been within his rights. So far, no formal charges have been filed. Isn't the method of discipline a personal family choice? We don't live in that house. We have no idea what they endure on a day to day basis. Are we rushing to judge?
Take a look at video of the incident here:
Do you think Sanchez was within his rights to discipline his son?
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Comments 33
I have no problem at all with popping a child but there is a fine line between a spank and abuse. Chances are if you have to use something other than your hand its abuse.
Also, hitting a child with behavioral issues is not the way to go, especially when a child is having a "bad day" any issues with anger, not listening, etc are only amplified upon being hit and yelled at. I think charges should be brought against this guy. If his son had severe depression and did nothing but lay around all day would he be beat for it? This is crazy.
This is sick. This "father" basically justified beating this kid by saying "Do you know how he acts"? So tell me this, beating him with a belt will make him mind? Give me a freaking break. That mom better get rid of that asshole or she should be charged as well.
this is sick frinki sick. I have two boys with special needs. This is sick.
That is ridiculous. I was spanked with a belt a few times when I was a kid but it was absolutely nothing like THAT. I'd call the cops on that guy too!
I commend the guy for speaking out about the abuse, so many people choose not to get involved. I'm not going to watch the video, mostly because I will weep and wail about the fact that I can't jump through the screen and give this POS the beating he deserves. What I would like to know is where is this boy's mother in all of this? We heard from HER father but nothing from her, does she condone these "disciplinary actions" or, has anyone considered, that she may also be a victim of abuse? I really hope they put this guy's life and home under the microscope.