I find it odd and upsetting that so many of the people posting here assume that this is only "a little spanking" and that the kid is alright or that aside from the fact that the cause of the "beating" was done because of poor video game performance, that such "discipline" is normal or fine. Now I don't know about Ohio, but here in Minnesota child discipline or "beatings" don't fit the criteria for domestic violence or physical abuse to a child unless the act was intentional and lasts for longer than 24 hours. 24 hours is a pretty long time for a swelling or a bruise to last if it was only through good intentioned discipline.
Now, I was spanked as a child; nothing too bad. Clothes on, pants down, bare-butt, hand only, spoon, paddle, etc. My parents often giving up because their hands were sore or their arms were tired, but none of my punishments earned me a severely swollen butt, let alone one that lasted over 24 hours.
Now, it is possible that this is one of those rare cases of a parent going off the handle and meting out regular discipline for no good reason and then the court systems taking the situation and blowing it out of proportion, but most cases of child abuse or domestic violence are real cases for good reason. Now this guy has been charged with domestic violence, so I don't think it's unnecessary to assume that the act actually fits the criteria for domestic violence. But at the same time, only charged and not convicted.
I mean, disciplining your kid when they don't even do something wrong is pretty messed up and pretty much disgusting if this guy actually was inflicting injury on the child. Child abuse is serious. I'm just surprised by all the responses swinging in mostly one direction.
