Dad (and apparent boyfriend) arrested for abusing 11- and 13-year-old sons (Daytona Beach, Florida)

One of those articles that is very unclear about that facts.

So are we saying that dad MICHAEL MILLIGAN was custodial, since the kids were living with him (and his apparent boyfriend), and were later removed from this home by the authorities and placed in foster care?

But then there's the part about Daddy (and his apparent boyfriend) abusing the kids while Mom was at work. Which makes it sound like Daddy (and his apparent boyfriend) were providing a babysitting service.

So if the kids were afraid to tell Mom about the abuse because of threats issued by Daddy (and his apparent boyfriend), and in fact covered up who was abusing them, why are the kids now in foster care?

And how do the mothers of both these guys know each other?

A LOT here that is not being told.

http://www.wesh.com/r/29454015/detail.html

2 Men Face Child Abuse Charges In Daytona Beach
Police: Dad's Friend Broke Boy's Arm After Failing To Do Pushups
POSTED: 4:49 pm EDT October 11, 2011
UPDATED: 5:17 pm EDT October 11, 2011


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Police in Daytona Beach said two men living in a local home with eight children face child abuse charges in court Tuesday.

Authorities said the children have all been removed from the home and are in foster care.

Police said that Michael Milligan, the children’s father, and his friend, John Slater, both 31, kicked or punched two of the children -- 11- and 13-year-old boys, daily for one to two years.

The relationship between Milligan and Slater remains unclear.

Milligan was accused of physically hurting his sons in the past, while police said Slater broke the 11-year-old's arm in September after forcing him to do military-style pushups.

"(An) 11- or 13-year-old kid is forced to do pushups, and then when he doesn't do it, or he gets tired, then he (Slater) and break his arm. That's just horrible," Daytona Beach police investigator Jimmie Flynt said.

The boy had a cast on his arm and finally confided in a school resource officer that he and his brother were being regularly abused, Flynt said.

"(The boy) had a black eye. The other kid had bruises -- some healed some and that weren’t healed yet," Flynt said.

Flynt said the 11-year-old was told to say he broke his arm when he tripped over a dog. The boys told police they were regular punching bags for both their father and his friend.

Both boys said Milligan and Slater told them if they ever said they were being abused, the suspects would find them when they'd grown up and hurt them far worse.

Police said the boys told them the abuse happened while their mother was at work.

During Milligan and Slater's first court appearance Tuesday, two women who appeared to be connected to the men were mouthing words at them, but their relationship remains unclear.