Dad cuts of thumb of teen son while trying to remove cast (Fort Launderdale, Florida)

Notice that this incident took place during dad LAWRENCE ROBERTS' visitation....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016444/Father-Lawrence-Roberts-cuts-teenage-sons-thumb-trying-remove-cast.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Father 'cuts off teenage son's thumb with a circular saw while trying to remove his cast'By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 7:30 PM on 19th July 2011

The rising cost of health care was too much for one Florida man, who tried to cut corners by removing his son's cast himself -- only to chop off the tip of the teen's thumb.

The bloody mistake has led to aggravated child abuse charges against the father, Lawrence Roberts, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, who also goes by the name 'Squirrelly.'

Mr Roberts drove to his son's house in a pick-up truck Sunday, bearing a 10-inch circular saw. His 15-year-old son lives with his mother and siblings in Coral Springs.

Most people use the home-improvement tool to cut wood, but Mr Roberts decided to make it his surgical instrument.

The frugal dad tried to remove the youth's purple cast off his right hand, but ended up cutting off the tip of his right thumb.

He also almost severed his son's index finger and sliced deeply into 3 inches of skin between the boy's index finger and thumb.

The teen underwent emergency surgery at Broward General Medical Center to try to reattach the top of his thumb.

There, hospital staff finished the task the boy's father started. They took off the boy's cast -- the proper way, this time.

Mr Roberts was arrested and incarcerated at Broward County jail in lieu of $7,500 bail.

If convicted of aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony, Mr Roberts could serve up to 30 years in prison.