Custodial dad arrested for striking 13-year-old daughter 82 times with leather belt (Suffolk, Virginia)

Note that this involves dad VICTOR GOMEZ and a step, and that there is no mention of a mother whatsoever. This suggests that Daddy had custody, and that Mom--as is often the case--has been "disappeared" from the story.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/suffolk/police-say-child-allegedly-hit-82-times-with-belt

Police: Child allegedly hit 82 times


Father charged with felony abuse, neglect

Updated: Friday, 20 Jan 2012, 1:15 PM EST
Published : Friday, 20 Jan 2012, 10:26 AM EST

Jessica O. Swink
SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Suffolk Police arrested 29-year-old Victor Gomez Thursday for felony child abuse and neglect.

According to Debbie George with Suffolk Police, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly struck 82 times with a leather belt by her father, while her stepmother stood by and counted.

The child had significant bruising and welts on her lower back, buttocks and upper legs, according to George, and Child Protective Services removed the girl from her home.

Gomez was charged with one felony count of abuse and neglect. There is an outstanding warrant on file for the stepmother, 39-year-old Andrea Delagarza, for one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.