A Florida mother is facing child abuse charges after she allegedly severely beat her 12-year-old son over poor grades, leaving him with a black eye.
According to NBC Miami, Pembroke Pines authorities say Sarah Dennis’ son brought home three F’s on his report card, and Dennis was so incensed that she ordered him to strip down to his underwear so that she could beat him with a belt. The boy fell to the floor in pain as Dennis beat his back and buttocks.
Officials say Dennis, 25, then punched the boy in the left eye multiple times. However, Dennis has denied claims that she punched her son and said she assumed he had a black eye from a fight at school.
The boy’s brother, 11, also brought home bad grades and was sent to him room, where he was later beaten with a belt over his buttocks.
The 12-year-old told school officials how he got the injuries when his teacher noticed the visible black eye and sent him to speak with a guidance counselor.
Now, Dennis is only allowed to see her three children during supervised visits.
“There would be a therapist present in the room to help facilitate the discussions and the visitation, and would make sure that all interactions between you and the kids are appropriate,” said Judge Stacey Schulman, who also told Dennis that it could be some time before she would be able to regain custody of her children.