Dad accused of beating 10-year-old daughter, 11-year-old son (Oakland Park, Florida)

Dad is identified as EDWARD JOSEPH HOOVER. No mention of a mother in the home. Is there one?

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-08/news/fl-oakland-park-child-abuse-20130208_1_child-cruelty-arrest-report-bad-mood

Father accused of beating son and daughter

Man jailed on child cruelty charges

February 8, 2013

A 33-year-old Oakland Park man was jailed on child cruelty charges after allegedly beating his children, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.

Edward Joseph Hoover is accused of using a black cable wire to swat his daughter, 10, and son, 11, on Jan. 8, the arrest report stated.

On previous occasions, Hoover allegedly punched his son in his leg and the upper left side of his back, and used a belt to hit his legs and back, the report stated.

The children told detectives that Hoover would beat them when he was in a bad mood or if someone upset him. They said he had a bad temper and would get upset if they took too long to get ice for his iced tea, investigators said.

His son said he would be punched in the chest for taking too long in the shower, they said.

Hoover was being held in the Broward County Jail on $50,000 bond for five counts of child cruelty. He also was being held without bond on charges of drug possession and burglary with assault and battery, records showed.

 —Wayne K. Roustan