Dad beats 14-year-old daughter with belt; girl "now in the custody of her mother" (Omaha, Nebraska)

Dad DEANDRE SMITH has been cited (and released) for misdemeanor child abuse after school officials noticed obvious belt marks on the daughter. Seems Daddy beat the girl until the belt broke--and in front of a witness, who was asked to leave, but still heard the hits and screams. We're told that Mom picked up the girl at school, and that the girl is "now in the custody of her mother."

What does this mean? I'm assuming that the unnamed witness is not the mother then. Did this father have custody? Generous visitation? What? As usual, the mainstream media is distressingly vague when it comes to the custodial situations that allow child abusers continued access to their victims.

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/93683894.html

Posted: 10:27 AM May 13, 2010

Beaten Until Belt Breaks
Witness heard hits and screams

A Heartland man has been cited for misdemeanor child abuse after school officials notice marks on his daughter. She is now in the custody of her mother.

Reporter: WOWT

A Heartland man has been cited for misdemeanor child abuse after school officials notice marks on his daughter. She is now in the custody of her mother.

According to police reports Burke High officials noticed "obvious" belt marks on the 15-year-old girl's arm.

When questioned the girl stated her father had disciplined her for lying to him. What lie the girl is suppose to have told her father is not on the report.

The report also states that there was a witness to part of the alleged abuse. That witness was asked to leave the home but says he heard hits and screams and the father allegedly calling the girl "retarded" while hitting her.

The report states that the beating ended when the father's belt broke.

Deandre Smith, 37 was cited and released for child abuse, the girl was picked up by her mother.