2-year-old boy in surgery after dad beats him with stick; boy has fractured skull (Tampa, Florida)

Dad MATTHEW RAY PEELER has been arrested on aggravated child abuse charges. His 2-year-old son required surgery for head trauma after Dad beat him with a stick and fractured his skull.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/deputies-2-year-old-needed-surgery-after-father-beat-him-with-a-stick/1063742

Deputies: 2-year-old needed surgery after father beat him with a stick
By Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Jan 07, 2010 11:45 AM

TAMPA — A 2-year-old boy required surgery for head trauma after his father beat him with a stick, deputies say.

Matthew Ray Peeler, 23, of 9748 Fox Hollow Road was arrested on aggravated child abuse charges Wednesday after child protection officials reported him to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said the child had a skull fracture and bleeding around the eye Tuesday evening that required immediate care. Peeler told deputies the child was injured when he fell out of its crib, but officials said the boy's injuries were not consistent with that story, according to an arrest affidavit.

The other adults who live at the Fox Hollow Road told deputies they were asleep at the time of the alleged abuse.

Peeler was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail and later released on $15,000 bail.