Teen son trying to protect mother is assaulted by father (Florence, Alabama)

Father DANIEL FRANCES BRINK was abusing his wife when their teenaged son stepped in to protect her. Dad apparently didn't care for that, so he beat the boy on the face and head with his fist. The son sustained two black eyes, cuts and abrasions, and bruising to the face, head, neck, and arm. Dad has been charged with torture of a minor, but was released from jail on a $1000 bond.

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090702/ARTICLES/907025025/1011/NEWS?Title=Father-arrested-in-beating

Father arrested in beating
By Tom Smith
Senior Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 9:54 p.m.

FLORENCE - A Lauderdale County man who authorities said assaulted his son when the teen tried to protect his mother has been charged with torture of a minor.

Daniel Frances Brink, 43, 2835 Lauderdale 259, Florence, was arrested Tuesday night and charged with torture, willful abuse of a child under 18 years old by a responsible person, Sheriff Ronnie Willis said.

Willis said Brink was arrested after sheriff's deputies and the Lauderdale County Department of Human Resources investigated allegations of physical abuse involving Brink's 17-year-old son.
The reported abuse occurred at Brink's residence Saturday morning, deputies said.

"There was an argument between Brink and his wife, and (the teen) was trying to protect his mother from being abused, and when that happened, he was slapped and then assaulted by his father," said investigator Thomas McCluskey.

Officials said an individual who saw the teen and heard that the father may have inflicted the abuse contacted the Department of Human Resources.

"According to statements, (the teen) was beaten with a fist several times in the face and head," McCluskey said.

He said the boy sustained two blackened eyes, cuts and abrasions and bruising to his head, face, neck and arm.

Authorities said the boy did not receive medical attention until days after the attack.
Deputies said Brink admitted to hitting the boy and injuring his face, but said he slapped the boy and then defended himself by repeatedly hitting the teenager in the face and head.

Brink was released from jail on bail of $1,000.

The charge is a Class C felony and is punishable by one to 10 years in prison if convicted.