`I did it out of love': Felony charge for father who spanked son with belt

Boston Herald ^ | 5/1/05 | Casey Ross and Franci Richardson

[baystaterebel]

A Plymouth father facing a felony charge for using a belt to spank his 12-year-old son over forgotten homework says he's the victim of overzealous authorities with no business telling him how to discipline his child.

``My record is spotless and all of a sudden I have a felony charge?'' an exasperated Charles Enloe said following his arrest by Plymouth police. ``. . . How is a parent supposed to raise a child these days? You can't spank them, you can't yell at them in stores. I feel I was wrongly charged.''

Enloe, a 42-year-old divorced father, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon Thursday after his son and ex-wife reported the spanking to police. Authorities said Enloe's son, who was back in his father's care last night, did not suffer any injuries as a result of the incident.

The case, which also is being investigated by the state Department of Social Services, resurrects the controversial issue of when corporal punishment by parents crosses the line into abuse and criminal activity.

[baystaterebel]

A freaking felony charge! Assult with a deadly weapon!

This is insane.

[Darkwolf]

I hear the kid told his Best Friend Forever that he LIKED getting the belt... ;) I've lived in MA all my life, this guy will be lucky if they don't reinstate the death penalty just for him.

[USNBandit]

I can honestly say that of the many times my Dad applied his belt to my behind he was only wrong once. Every other time I deserved what I got.

[rawhide]

My father used the belt on me and my 4 brothers while we were growing up. There were times we needed it. I say hooray to this father for trying to discipline his son correctly. He has my support.

[baystaterebel]

Same here. I would be in jail or dead right now if my parents didn't use a belt on my butt from time to time.

I earned every lick my butt took.

And I am thankful for it.

[ruiner]

My father was never wrong.

[scott7278]

Imagine what message this sends to the son.

[CharlesWayneCT]

And then we wonder why a 5-year-old feels like she can with impugnity wreak havoc on a classroom, ON TAPE, for a half hour, without fear of reprisal.

[Run Silent Run Deep]

There is NEVER any need to spank a child. I have raised a child BTW.

That being said, I do not support the state on this at all unless abuse, as defined by law, can be shown.

[Greenpees]

My Father would've been sentenced to 105 continious life sentences if I were still a kid, based on this story.

Unbelievable

[sushiman]

1984 ...

[FreedomCalls]

Since when is a belt a "deadly" weapon? This is prosecutorial overzealousness. It's at best just plain assault.

[VOYAGER]

``. . . How is a parent supposed to raise a child these days? You can't spank them, you can't yell at them in stores. I feel I was wrongly charged.'' Enloe, a 42-year-old divorced father, was charged with...

These meddling moronic "nattering nabobs" need to butt out and quit interfering with a parent's legal right to dicipline their children as they see fit without any interference from a bunch of meddlesome Marys!

Another classic example of our justice system gone nuts!

[thestob]

bump for later

[lastchance]

I have a very strong inkling that this is about a custody fight. The article makes the point that the ex wife called the authorities.

[Cacique]

As they say in the land of my birth. "Lo que no me mata, me hace fuerte".

[GeekDejure]

Yeah... I got the belt a few times (for good reason)... but what I absolutely HATED were the two times my dad washed my mouth out with Lava soap (also for good reason) !!! ;-))

[Founding Father]

There is NEVER any need to spank a child. I have raised a child BTW.

Bullsh*t. I have raised six children.

[fivekid]

There is NEVER any need to spank a child. I have raised a child BTW.



I strongly disagree, and I have raised five....

[dfwgator]

I strongly disagree, and I have raised five....

I never would have guessed.