Dad charged with beating 9-year-old daughter with belt (Newport News, Virginia)

Dad is identified as LEONDUS FRED WOODS. Notice that there is no mention of a mother in the home, and that the child has now been placed with "other family members."

So what happened to Mom? Is she dead or "missing"? Did she somehow lose custody to this guy? You always have to wonder when you have what seems to be a violent single father and a mother that has been erased like this.

http://www.wvec.com/news/Father-charged-after-girl-tells-teacher-she-was-whipped-with-belt-241839751.html

Father charged after daughter tells teacher she was 'whipped' with belt

by 13News Now WVEC.com
Posted on January 24, 2014 at 12:34 PM Updated today at 12:47 PM

NEWPORT NEWS -- A Newport News father has been charged after his 9-year-old told a teacher she was "whipped' with a belt.

According to police spokesman Lou Thurston, the child had several marks on her body and face that were consistent with being hit with a belt.

Thurston said the girl told a school faculty member on Jan. 10 and Child Protective Services were notified.

Following an investigation, police charged 31-year-old Leondus Fred Woods with one count of felony child abuse.

Thurston says the girl is with other family members.

Woods was released on bond by a magistrate.