Dad arrested for beating son during visitation (Walnut Hill, Florida)

This is insane. You can just about bet that this is not brand new behavior for dad ANDREW KELLY FREEMAN. In fact, I'll bet there was evidence for his alcoholism, violence, and belligerent attitude before these parents separated or divorced. And despite that, I'm also betting that Daddy got court-ordered visitation anyway. And that the mother was forced to send these teen boys out of state to stay with Daddy Dearest whether they wanted to or not. And given that the two sons are almost young men now--and not little boys who can be shoved around and intimidated by a mean drunk--they told Daddiums to bug off and that they were going back home to Mom. That's when all hell broke out, and Daddy started beating the 17-year-old with a stick before punching him in the face with a closed fist.

This is exactly the kind of case where fathers rights people will claim that "parental alienation" is going on. The idea that Daddy's own habitual drunkeness and poor attitude (much less his violence) might have had something to do with the "estrangement" doesn't even occur to them. Because this is how it is when you're an abuser: It's NEVER your fault. You never assume responsibility for your own behavior and how it impacts other people. It's always somebody else's fault.

We need to stop awarding visitation to boozy abusers of all stripes. And we need to start letting kids--especially teens--make decisions about where they want to spend their time. I'm sure these boys would have much rather been back home hanging with their friends this summer then getting into a forced visitation with their crazy old man.

http://www.northescambia.com/?p=19281

Walnut Hill Man Arrested For Beating Son With Stick
June 17, 2010

A Walnut Hill man was jailed on child abuse charges for allegedly beating his son with a stick.

Andrew Kelly Freeman, 41, is facing child abuse, aggravated battery and battery charges. He was released on $11,000 bond.

According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Freeman’s 14 and 17 year old sons, who live in Georgia with their mother, have been visiting Freeman at his home in the 7000 block of Occie Phillips Road.

The victim told deputies that he and his brother had grown tired of watching Freeman, their father, “verbally arguing and constantly staying drunk”, according to the Sheriff’s Office arrest report. The two boys decided to walk to a nearby house to call their mother to pick them up.

On the road to the neighbor’s house, Freeman reportedly pulled up in his pickup truck behind the boys and told them to put their bags in the truck and return to his residence. When the 17-year old victim refused, Freeman reportedly struck him multiple times on the back with a stick, breaking the stick. Freeman also grabbed the boy and punched him in the face with closed fist, the report states.

Deputies reported finding multiple abrasions on the victim’s back and a bruised and swollen area on the side of his face.

The boys returned to Georgia with their mother, according to the report.

Freeman is due to be in court July 8 for an arraignment hearing.