A Pensacola man was arrested after he brutally beat his minor child with a belt for making bad grades, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Darryl McRae, 33, was charged with child cruelty and child abuse. He is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.
The incident came to light after the boy approached a school resource officer and said his father gave him a “whoopin'” on Sunday because of his grades.
The resource officer observed bruises and welts all over the child’s back and leg. A school counselor contacted the police and DCF took the boy into custody.
According to a police report obtained by WEAR TV, the boy said McRae struck him 15 times with a belt. McRae reportedly beat the boy multiple times in the past with a belt, and other objects.
McRae’s arrest sends a message to other parents that beating children with belts, extension cords, and similar objects is against the law and punishable by prison time.
The law understands that raising children is hard work and takes a lot of patience and self-discipline. But child abuse will not be tolerated.
Parents are urged to take parenting classes to teach them more effective ways to discipline children and to manage their own emotions and anger.
