MEMPHIS, Tenn. - An alert Memphis Police officer stepped in to stop a father from beating his 2-year old son. 24-year old James Boles is now behind bars, charged with child abuse and neglect.
The Exchange Family Center prides itself on breaking the cycle of violence in our community. News of the incident involving James Boles doesn't surprise them, but they are disappointed, and hope this serves as a lesson to other parents that violence is not the answer to disciplining children.
The family who lives at 832 Josephine is without a father Friday. 24 year old James Boles is behind bars on child abuse and neglect charges.
According to a police report, an officer on Josephine on a separate call looked through a window of the home. He noticed Boles with a pink colored belt, yelling and cursing at a two year old victim, while he repeatedly hit him with a belt.
The officer noticed the suspect strike the child at least three times on his head and back. Boles later told officers he was spanking the two year old for urinating on himself.
Patricia Maynard with the Exchange Family Center says the discipline escalated to severe abuse in a matter of minutes.
"That was not appropriate parent behavior with a minor child who wet his pants," said Maynard. "[Parents] often respond in their own anger, frustration, and anxiety over the child's behavior."
Maynard encourages parents to use other alternatives to teach their children lessons. She stresses, violence begets violence, and leaves emotional scars. She is concerned about the other children in the household.
"Many times these parents do not have the skills or knowledge available to them, in understanding a different way of parenting."
While Boles gets time to get an attorney, Maynard hopes a judge forces him to take a parent education class to learn and understand the dynamics of child development.
Boles is being held on $5,000 bond. He is due back in court next Friday with an attorney.
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