Here's the question you will be answering: Was this really a case where two parents were "in a fight," where both were assaulting each other, and both deserved to be charged with misdemeanor child abuse? Was this a really a "custody dispute"--implying that both parents were actively and equally "disputing"? Or was one person the major aggressor here?
Let's look at the facts, though they are poorly reported. Here's how it chalks up:
* Mother was holding 2-year-old child during "fight." This implies that she did not have free use of her hands as weapons. That's a major disadvantage right there.
* Mother and child "fell to the ground" (i.e. were pushed?) during course of said "fight." No indication that Father ever "fell to the ground" or was otherwise pushed or knocked off balance. That also implies something about who may have been the aggressor here.
* Child suffered minor cuts and scratches to the face and upper body during course of said "fight." Not clarified if either parent suffered injuries. However, if Mom was holding the child during the course of this "fight," does it not stand to reason that the cuts and scratches must have been inflicted by the father?
* Dad manages to take off with child at end of "fight." Police find that Dad JAMES EMORY HOBSON has a concealed weapon (.40 calibur handgun) and marijuana. No indication that a weapon or drugs were found with the mother. So one parent had a weapon, the other didn't.
Based on the information presented, I'm not seeing how this was a "fight" where two people were assaulting each other. Sounds like a one-way assault by the father against the mother and child. She may have been attempting to defend herself and her child, but self-defense is not the same thing as "equal" violence.
But the media and the police seem to have a vested interest in finding both the man and the woman guilty these days, even when the facts don't sustain such a conclusion.
http://www.salisburypost.com/News/041410-WEB-cops-parents-charged-child-abuse
Fight leads to child abuse charges
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 12:00 AM
Updated Wednesday, April 14, 2010 2:37 PM
Staff report
The parents of a 2-year-old who got into a fight outside Salisbury Pediatrics have been charged with misdemeanor child abuse.
The child, who was being held by his mother during the fight, sustained cuts and scratches, according to Salisbury Police.
Carrie Gayle, 24, 1008 Hawkinstown Road, and James Emery Hobson, 25, 117 Wilson Road, were both charged with misdemeanor child abuse. Hobson was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana.
Police Chief Rory Collins said the incident occurred Tuesday around 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Salisbury Pediatrics, 129 Woodson St.
Collins said the couple were engaged in a custody dispute which continued into the parking lot where the father, Hobson, was taking the child for a checkup.
Police received a report of a domestic assault — a man and women were assaulting each other while she held a small child.
Both the mother and child fell to the ground with the child sustaining minor cuts and scratches to the face and upper body.
Before arriving, police were advised that the man had left the scene in a car and had the child with him.
A responding officer located and stopped the vehicle at Fulton and Franklin streets.
Police found a .40 caliber handgun inside Hobson's car and a small amount of marijuana.
Collins said as a result of the charges, the Rowan County Department of Social Services is now involved in the care of the child.
