Is this a custody/visitation situation?
There is no mention of the mother being in the home when all this happened--either before Dad came home drunk from the bar or after. The mother met the injured boy at the hospital.
But as usual, the news account is not real clear about the family's living arrangements.
Dad is identified JEFFERY LEE MARTIN.
http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/591191/Father-Facing-Abuse-Counts.html?nav=510
Father Facing Abuse Counts
Allegedly slaps, kicks boy in head
October 19, 2013
By SARAH HARMON - Staff Writer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
A Moundsville man was charged this week for allegedly slapping and kicking his son in the head after coming home intoxicated from a bar and accusing the boy of stealing cigarettes.
Jeffery Lee Martin, 39, was charged with malicious wounding and child abuse resulting in injury. Bond was posted at $5,000.
A criminal complaint states the Marshall County Deputy Sheriff was notified last week by a school resource officer of a student who needed attention.
The report states the deputy sheriff saw the student had a black eye and swelling on the left side of his face as well as a brace on his left arm.
According to the complaint, the student said Jeffery Martin had come home from the bar the night before and accused the boy of stealing cigarettes and began "slapping him around."
The boy stated in the report he was slapped by Martin several times before being knocked to the floor, where Martin began kicking the boy repeatedly in the head. The boy reported he used his arm to protect his head and thought his arm was broken from the blows.
The boy was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment where he was met by his mother, the report states.
The complaint shows law enforcement contacted Martin, who admitted he got into a "scuffle" with his son, but that he hit him in self-defense.
A preliminary hearing for Martin is set for 2:30 p.m. Oct. 29.