Dad charged with felony child abuse/neglect for bruising face of 6-year-old son (Newport News, Virginia)

Is MARTIN HOUSTON a single custodial father? Notice that there is no mention of the mother in this account, and that the children are now staying with a "family friend." Wonder what happened to Mom, and whether Daddy doled out similar treatment to her. And that's why she's "missing." Of course, it doesn't even occur to reporters to ask why she is apparently not in the picture.

http://www.wavy.com/news/crime/nn-father-accused-of-striking-son

NN father accused of striking son

Updated: Friday, October 25, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT
Published: Friday, October 25, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - A Newport News man is charged with felony child abuse after a 6-year-old boy was struck.

Holly McPherson with the Newport News Police Department said officers were alerted to a case of child abuse by Child Protective Services. Officials at a Newport News school became concerned after the victim hadn’t shown up for school since Tuesday.

Further investigation revealed the child was struck by his father, identified as Martin Houston, 38, of Newport News, McPherson said. The child had bruising to his face.

Houston was arrested and charged with one count of felony child abuse/neglect.

The boy and his siblings are with a family friend.