A couple in Florida is charged with child abuse after officials reported that the man beat a child for nearly 30 minutes while his wife did nothing to assist. The Dec. 7 incident in Kissimmee was partly recorded by the family’s cameras. The Department of Children and Families and law enforcement were informed about it on Dec. 11, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, reports USA TODAY.
Authorities say Lance Rachel was upset about a moved couch cushion and accused a boy of lying about it. He verbally abused the boy and struck him over 50 times with a belt for 28 minutes.
Officials said in a statement,
“He was also choked and called several disparaging names and other obscenities.”
42-year-old Rachel threatened to break the boy’s jaw amid the incident, according to officials. He confessed that the abused occurred when detectives questioned him. Rachel faces charges of aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation.
35-year-old Kimberly Rachel was apprehended for not reporting known child abuse, according to officials. Footage released showcased the couple being taken away from their home by officials.
