Dad charged with beating his 3 children (Cape Coral, Florida)

Unemployed (and presumably stay-at-home) dad JASON J. STAWARZ has been charged with three counts of child cruelty for punching, choking, and spanking (with a wooden spoon) his three children.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20090724/SS08/90724047/1003/ACC

Cape Coral man charged with beating three young children
Denes Husty III • dhusty@news-press.com • July 24, 2009

Police have arrested a Cape Coral man on charges of beating his three young children.

Jason J. Stawarz, 30, is charged with three counts of child cruelty by inflicting physical or mental injury. He is being held in the Lee County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail.

Stawarz was arrested following an investigation by police and the local Child Protection Team.

The children, ages 5, 4 and 3, told authorities that their father punched, choked and spanked them with a wooden spoon, leaving them with black eyes, reports state.

Officers said they saw bruises and abrasions on the children.

Stawarz denied abusing the children and told officers he lost his job and attempted suicide by cutting his wrists July 7.

Stawarz was arrested and taken to jail Thursday. The children were turned over to the custody of his mother, pending further review by the state Department of Children and Families, reports state.