Dad arraigned for beating 4- and 5-year-old daughters with wooden paddle (Martinsburg, West Virginia)

Once again, we have a somewhat misleading headline. This isn't some random "man" that is being arraigned on child abuse fathers--it's a father (In this case, BRADLEY HESS) who has been arraigned for beating his 4- and 5-year-old daughters.

Which brings us to another point. "Spanking" is an open-handed tap on the rear. "Spanking" with a wooden board--and hard enough to leave brusing and on a child's face no less--is not spanking. It's an assault.

And not only is this NOT a random "man" who is "spanking," it's a dad who's abusing these kids with NO EVIDENCE of a mother in this home. At least no mention of one. Was Mom around while Daddy Dearest was beating these kids? Is this one of those deadbeat babysitter daddies who's getting "frustrated" and all because Mom is working to support his lazy @$$? Is this a custody/visitation situation? Is this a single dad? Who know, because as usual, the media has declined to give you the context for these crimes.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/557627/Man-arraigned-on-child-abuse-cha---.html

Man arraigned on child abuse charges
March 11, 2011

MARTINSBURG - A 32-year-old Martinsburg man was arraigned Thursday on two counts of felony child abuse causing injury after admitting to spanking two children with a wooden board last month.

Bradley Hess, of Rudolph Court, turned himself in on warrants charging him with the two counts of child abuse Thursday and he was subsequently released from custody after posting bail.

According to court records, West Virginia State Police Sr. Trooper W.R. Garrett was contacted Feb. 15 by Berkeley County Child Protective Services regarding allegations of child abuse.

Garrett was told that that the alleged victim, a 4-year-old girl, had arrived at Pikeside Day Care in Berkeley County with bruises. Daycare workers noticed bruising above the child's left eye. Upon closer inspection, several other bruises were noticed underneath the child's clothing. Similar bruises were also found on the child's 5-year-old sister.

The children were later interviewed, and the older child stated that there father, Hess, had used a stick to hit her and her sister, records show.

Hess was also interviewed and admitted to spanking the two children with a wooden board. He told police he had spanked the older child with the board because she had pulled the younger child off of a toilet as she was using it. Hess also admitted to spanking the younger child with the board. Both incidents took place on or about Feb. 12, records show.

- From staff reports