Dad charged after "spanking" 7-year-old girl, who was hospitalized from her injuries (Memphis, Tennessee)

This was no "spanking"--and the media needs to quit minimizing child abuse by misusing the word. This 7-year-old girl was ASSAULTED. Hint: When the "spanking" results in hospitalization, it's no spanking. That's like confusing a kiss and a fist to your mouth, because both involved contact with somebody's lips. Ridiculous. Dad DAVID CAINE has been charged. And where is Mom? No mention.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14054416

Memphis father charged after spanking his child
Posted: Feb 17, 2011 8:55 PM CST
Updated: Feb 18, 2011 6:15 AM CST

By Jason Miles
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - Memphis father Steve Johnson spanks his son.

"I hit him two or three times," said Johnson. "Something like that."

But Johnson said he never spanks his 11-year-old daughter.

"When she do certain things, I let her mama do it," he added. "I don't believe in whooping no girl."

Memphis Police believe 33-year-old David Cain had no such rule.

He was charged this week with child abuse following a grand jury indictment months after police said he used a belt to "spank" his seven-year-old daughter.

Police said she ended up at LeBonheur Children's Hospital with bruises and swelling on her buttocks, arms and legs.

The police report does not say how many times the child was hit. It only states the spanking was believed to be "excessive."

"Discipline and punishment are not the same thing," said Memphis Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Nancy Williams.

Williams believes spanking is never a good idea.

"When people hit with anger, there is the tendency to overreact," said Williams.

Williams suggested withholding things from your child, like parent Terri Anderson does.

"TV, games, going outside," said Anderson

DCS intervened in David Cain's case and he may no longer live with the daughter he is accused of abusing.

Cain is out of jail on a $50,000 bond.