Spanking a Child is a Crime...

[SubGod22]

Texas Mom Gets Probation, Loses Kids, for Spanking her Daughter

Gonzáles will serve five years probation, take parenting classes and follow guidelines laid out by Child Protective Services

KZTV10.com reports that the ruling judge in the case made it clear that spanking is a crime.

"You don't spank children today," Judge Jose Longoria is quoted as having said. "In the old days, maybe we got spanked, but there was a different quarrel. You don't spank children."

[Snapshot9]

Spare the rod, spoil the child. I call BS on this one. You can not talk a child into good manners and proper behavior, a swat on the butt does not hurt a child.

[SubGod22]

Like my brother says, each child is different. His oldest responded to being talked to and letting her know she was wrong and disappointed the parents. The middle child not so much, and she needed to be swatted more to get the point across and get her to shape up. The youngest doesn't get into a lot of trouble. But she's more like the oldest child as she doesn't want to disappoint her parents for the most part.

Spanking isn't for every child, but it can and should be used when and where necessary.

[WuDrWu]

The judge is flat out wrong and should be removed from the bench for incompetence.


This from the State of Texas Penal Code taken from the state website:

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm

Sec. 9.61. PARENT-CHILD. (a) The use of force, but not deadly force, against a child younger than 18 years is justified:

(1) if the actor is the child's parent or stepparent or is acting in loco parentis to the child; and

(2) when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is necessary to discipline the child or to safeguard or promote his welfare.

(b) For purposes of this section, "in loco parentis" includes grandparent and guardian, any person acting by, through, or under the direction of a court with jurisdiction over the child, and anyone who has express or implied consent of the parent or parents.



So, it is, in fact NOT illegal to spank a child. Now, if the woman beat the child and caused harm to that level (and I am not saying she did or did not) but that is covered elsewhere.

Spanking a child is NOT a crime in Texas, Your Honor, and you owe the people of Texas, and specifically this woman, an apology.

[wufan]

The judge is an idiot. That statement should not have been made. On the other hand, Mom pleaded guilty to causing bodily harm (not spanking). She either took a plea deal, or had some really bad legal advice.