UNITY, Maine — A father accused of punching his teenage son in the head before he boarded a school bus Monday morning was arrested on a charge of domestic violence assault.
Leslie Bates, 49, of Unity reportedly told his son to do something and hit him when he didn’t do it fast enough, according to Chief Deputy Jeff Trafton of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.
Right after the alleged assault, the boy boarded the bus and went to class at the Waldo County Technical Center in Waldo. A teacher there took him to the emergency room at Waldo County General Hospital, and he was treated and released. A hospital employee called police to report the injury, Trafton said Tuesday.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services was notified and the son’s mother, who lives in another state, picked him up, according to the chief deputy.
Bates was taken to Waldo County Jail in Belfast on Monday evening and has been released on $100 unsecured cash bail.
What a model dad!
He’s bucking for father of the year!
Someone is going to buck him if he keeps hitting kids!
Very manly…..
Hope they throw the key away, what a creep.
$100.00 bail? Why bother?
that’s what I was going to say!
100 bucks is a lot of money in Waldo county.
Two trailer payments!
More like…. What a D-bag father!! Someone needs to punch the father in head. What a jerk! Way to teach your kid how to be a father!
There are far too many “parents” out there who are not concerned in the least with teaching their children anything, never mind how to be a father. That is an unfortunate truth in today’s society.
Bet this is the way he learned! SAD! Hope this breaks the chain of child abuse.
this is whats wrong with these kids today u cant disapline them. then good ol dhhs steps in cause they know so much better how to treat kids ..
My kids never got punched in the head and they turned out fine, along with all their close friends. Thankfully, I don’t know a great deal of kids who were punched in the head, but the one I do know personally happens to be a drug addict and has been in and out of jail since he was 15. Apparently you have witnessed something different to gather that kind of logic.
In the head? Are you kidding me? Needing an emergency room isn’t a spanking. Leaving a bruise isn’t a spanking. That is assault!
There is right and WRONG way to discipine your children. Smacking him on the side of the head is not how to discipline. I hope you are not a parent. If so, enroll in a parenting class right away.
i deff dont need the goverment or sum doc phil class telling me how to raise my kids
As parents, it is upon us to come up with more effective ways of discipline than hitting our children in the head. Besides, it is fun to learn new things and I knew how to hit a long time ago, nothing new in that.
I work with kids every day, and I would say, for the MOST part, what is wrong with kids is that they have NEVER been disciplined. The 14 year old boy runs the house. That said, I was disciplined as a child, got spanked a few times, etc. However, there is a BIG difference between getting a spanking and getting smacked in the head.
This father was also stupid enough to do it apparently in front of a bus with witnesses on it. It kinda makes you wonder what he does behind closed doors.
If this was done before boarding the bus, the bus driver should have reported it. They are mandated reporters!
From reading the article, it seems they may have reported it to the school and maybe they took it from there. Or maybe the bus driver did report it to DHHS.
I took it as the child went to class…….maybe I missed something in translation……wouldn’t be the first time! :P
Ya like kids do not get abused in DHS care or even killed. If that was a foster home most likely he would never even Be charged. Even in cases of sexual abuse in foster home most are never charged just kids put into new home.
You don’t hit a child….especially in the head!! There is a right way to disipline and assaulting a child is NOT one of them. Hitting a child for doing something wrong, teaches them to hit others when they do something wrong. There is such a thing as positive re-enforcement. You also give children a choice and tell them the consequences if they make the wrong choice…..and one of the choices should never be physical assault/violence.
Yup because I have a relative that used that whole “positive reinforcement” and “no spanking” thing. Yup, the kids ran the house because they knew they would just get “talked to” and that didn’t bother them.
The parent has to be consistent with their discipline of positive reinforcement! I raised 4 kids, by myself, never hit one of them. I TALKED to my kids and they TALKED to me. They knew what was expected of them. They knew the boundaries and the consequences if they over stepped them. Did my kids over step them? You betcha, but they also knew they had a choice and could blame no one but them self when they screwed up.
Then they take the kid out of the home and the kid ends up tied to a chair with duct tape around their mouth , DHS is always the answer ! The kid should of never been punched in the head but the correct discipline is always good. Unfortunately people in todays world dont like to discipline children cause A : It takes time and effort and B : They are afraid the child wont like them for a day !
WELL SAID!!!
and over half that do work in that dept. don’t have any kids.
DHHS has the right to step his son is a challenged 16 yr. old who does not to be beat on cause he was not fast enough for his disgruntles father, who is a known alcoholic. The young man is in better care with his mother and in a safer environment now.
Given that parents in Maine are allowed to use reasonable physical force to the extent the parent reasonably believes it necessary to punish a child’s misconduct, I am not sure I’d want to be the prosecutor on this case!
I can’t imagine that injuries sustained that resulted in a need for treatment at a hospital would fly very well
If you show up at an emergency room, they have to treat you, even if the “treatment” is “take two aspirin and call back in the morning.” The report tells us nothing about what the injury, if any, was.
You’re right. It doesn’t. I’m just going on a hunch here having raised teenage boys…I’m guessing that it couldn’t have been too insignificant if they actually agreed to go for treatment. Just my hunch though.
“need for treatment” or just some over-zealous school teacher or administrator over-reacting? Not like that ever happens … !!
Could be, but I’m glad they take child abuse seriously. If this guy punched his kid in the face, intentionally, I hope he gets appropriate punishment for his actions. Kids can be disciplined in far more effective ways that don’t teach them to lash out in violence, IMO.
And somehow the father will get custody of the boy in a few months due to some law while in jail that he will find to get out of jail and to get the kid back.
We don’t know the other side of the story here so ease up on the dad. Remember when you were a kid? My parents would BOTH be in jail today if we enforced these same rules of today back then. If I deserved a kick in the butt…I’d get one. today if you even look at a kid the wrong way they call the cops. I’m not picking sides…maybe the father was wrong…..but maybe….just maybe that kid was wrong too. just sayin
ADULTS ARE SUPPOSED TO ACT LIKE ADULTS–there is never justification to hit,let alone punch,a child,especially in the head…
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WHATEVER he did or didn’t do….it is still NO REASON to hit a child!! PERIOD!!
My guess would be if the child warrented an emergency room, the dad is in the wrong. No child should ever be struck in the head for any reason. Nor in the face, slapped or punched; that is clearly assault. If the dad had given him one slap on the butt and no bruise left, then I would maybe agree with you. Given the age of this child, I would say taking away priveledges much more productive. Break the chain of violence.
“No child should ever be struck in the head for any reason. Nor in the face, slapped or punched; that is clearly assault.” If I ever called my mother a b!tch to her face, I would’ve gotten slapped. And rightfully so.
I have always believed a child has a butt and I have used it. I remember a bit ago we took our 3 children to Disney and 3 we were caring for. Six children total and my son decided to throw a fit just as we entered Magic Kingdom. 8 years old and could run circles around us, he decided we were going to rent a double stroller. He floored himself on the ground. I applied on slap to his rear and stood him up, as we have just enough money to vacation for 3 weeks with 6 kids and no extra’s. Then, I looked at the camera’s expecting to be on CNN Headline News. I am glad my kids are too old for spankings now and they respect me. They were raised young to expect their elders. I decided I won’t be taking my grandchildren until they are too old to spank. Wonder how many kids get one slap on the buttocks at Disney, Just entering the gates. Must say the next 3 weeks were uneventful.
I did only once lol
I know that man personally. Can you say DRUNK. I could tell you stories. How he treated his twin daughters when they were 4 & 5 yrs of age. And his son has a disability. I am a pretty straight up person. And in my opinion this man is a walking time bomb.
Yep, discipline of a child is a parent’s perogative. BUT hitting your kid in the head so hard he needs to go to the hospital is another matter entirely.
The teacher took the kid to the hospital and someone at the hospital called the cops. Don’t go blaming the kid in this one, blame the poor excuse for a father.
wow … man so no matter what even though dad punched him in the head you still think there was a reason for it? you my friend need to see a psychiatrist…. Should never hit your kids peroid!!
the problem is that it’s against the LAW to punch ANYONE in the head. if a stranger punched you in the head you would know it was wrong. so why would it be ok to punch someone simply because they are your child? It’s illogical.
And just maybe adults should learn to keep there hands to them selves ……..a child should never ever be touched out of anger ever….and i have 5 children of my own …children r a gift not a punching bag!!!
Very similar thing happened to my youngest son when he was 14. I got a call from the state police that his father had been arrested for domestic assault against our son and I drove to pick him up. That was 7 years ago and our son hasn’t spoken to his father since and likely never will.
BULLY!!!
this guy is a complete loser!!!
Son probably is more mature that this faux father. This is why alot of kids grow up with angry & turn to drugs, booze & other poor life choices. I feel sorry for them.
I agree with you!
I recently posted on Facebook about a father who forcefully held his arms behind his back in order to control the 11 year old because the boy had not complied with the father’s order to do something. This is a father who meanly squirts his children in the face if they are having difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, and who has been known to punch a child in the back as well as pull a toddler’s ear to get the child to comply. Most people were appalled that a grown man would treat a child like that, but one man commented that the discussion was not something to be publicly spoken about! You know why there has been so much domestic violence? Because too many people, for generations have kept these issues swept under the rug as issues not to be discussed outside of the home! Strangely, the father I speak of has gotten away with treating his children in a demeaning manner and the authorities and DHHS have done nothing about it.
…and if an adult punched another adult in the head, would that be a different story? If ANY adult punched me in the head, be assured I would see that person in court.
Well said, legalwoman72! The father I spoke of who held his 11 year old son’s arms behind his back, was extremely damaged by his father’s rage. His father would brag about taking one of his son’s out of a restaurant and beating his butt so loudly that all the restaurant patron’s cringed. Really folks, let’s stop the madness! There is NO reason why a child, or any person should be physically dealt with for misconduct.
Domestic violence, Try Child abuse. Just Because The teenager didn’t complete the task fast enough doesn’t give this despot any right to punch his son in the head.
I’ve seen kids that wouldn’t heed anything less…
But in the head??? I’m glad you didn’t raise my children. My kids all have their brains very well intact.
He might be a Father but he will ever be a DAD.
If that ‘s what it takes to save the kid, then do it. Some kids are way out of control.
You need to give them a reasonable amount of time to get things done.
Who knows the entire story about this or any other family? I just wanted to say, some kids need more drastic forms of discipline. But not abuse.
Yes, some kids are way out of control, but that could be because of physical abuse at home!….verbal, sexual and psychological abuse can cause children to act out, too.
I agree that some kids need more drastic punishment but seriously?? If you discipline them as very young toddlers 1,2 and 3 years old, they will more than likely be controllable as they get older!! To teach them discipline at 13 its almost too late… They have run the home for this long and nobody will tell them different… My children tried to be in control at 2 and it was stopped quickly with sitting in a chair or standing in a corner.. Show them who is boss at a young age and they tend to keep in the back of their minds that you are in control and they will be in trouble if they do things wrong! I feel sorry the father punched the kid because no child deserves it!! I was abused as a child and as a teen I got an attitude! I was going to do what i was going to do because sometimes I got away with it and sometimes I didn’t… That was a risk worth taking… I then at 14, refused to go home to be hollered at and hit!! I always had good grades until that point in my life when I discovered there was more to life than being abused… I was never home to escape reality!! It made me angry and I always had a high nervous level!! Do we want our kids to learn respect or only be respectful because they are scared and nervous?? I hate when people say any child deserves a beating… A good talking to and making them feel guilty with words is almost worse!!
I agree you have to start at a young age. I remember very fondly when I was in 3rd grade, I wrote F*CK on the computer at school. Of course the school called home and my punishment was that I wasn’t allowed to go on the “family trip” that year. I was DEVASTATED! So devastated that my teacher called my parents back the next day and said “don’t y0u think it may be a little harsh?” My parents said “maybe, but we’ve already made up our mind and can’t go back on it now, what will that teach him? That we don’t really mean it when we punish him?” So I didn’t go on the trip that year and I NEVER wrote a bad word on a school computer after that! :-)
Another $100.00… not very much in today’s world!
The next thing we are going to hear is the dad was beaten by his dad in his younger years and now that is how he handles his outburst. I can feel it coming! God what a piece of work!
I was thinking the same thing. Abuse is a “learned trait” handed down thru the generations. They use this “abused as a child” defense, hoping to gain pity from a jury. Doesn’t usually work.
Actually his Father was a very well respected man with a kind heart
He was never beaten by his Dad but he has been in trouble most of his life.
What’s amazing is there are people on this board who actually JUSTIFY this type of behavior. If this guy has a dog it should be removed from his home also.
I have raised a bunch of children who were abused by others, and have NEVER found a single one who would be improved by inflicting violence.
In my world assault is assault, and we’ll be a better society when no one, no matter their status, has to endure this.
Leslie Bates your a loser always have been one. Hitting your handicap son does not make you a man. Come to Newport and i will show you what a beating is. Should have beaten you years ago when i had the chance. I have 23 yrs with of anger to take out on losers like you
I know them both personally, What Les did was wrong, and I’m shocked, and disappointed..I know he has issues. As for his son..he is a great kid “teenage” boy…and what Les did was wrong, he is a pretty good dad to his boy. Son has learning issues…yes you can call it a disability. Now the mother on the other hand also has issues..no idea why she got him..She is hardly ever in his life..I hope Les learns from this, and his boy and him will work it out. Had I known I would have asked to care for him, so he wouldnt miss his school here and all his friends..
Weedog i know him personally as well watched him pick one of his twin daughters up by the neck at the age of four and carrying them to a corner . also watched him make those girls eat everything on there dinner plates to the point of puking in there plate. Who puts 1/2 pound of pasta on a childs plate???? Just saying..
Factual evidence procreation should involve an accepted application.
May God bless that teacher who stepped forward and did his/her sworn duty to protect that child. I am sure this is not the first time this has happened but is apparently the first time someone has cared enough to speak up for him. Young man you have your whole life ahead of you reach out for help and do not look back.
Only one side of this is represented. Before I post that part I want to agree that a closed fist is VIOLENCE not Discipline… That being said, looking at this from the parents side I can see him rushing his son to get ready for school, the son being a normal teenager may very well have smart mouthed and or cussed back because he was in a bad mood. The parent loses thier temper and a blow is struck. This is playing devils advocate to some degree, but it also comes from practicle experience. I have seen morning situations devolve into angry words and shouting and when disrespct starts getting thrown around tempers can flare on both sides… I haven’t been to the losing my temper stage, but I have handed out a grounding or two for getting cussed at because a teenager won’t get out of bed and ready to catch thier bus. Once again, Discipline versus Violence. In this case the father was wrong and should have known better then to lose his temper…
Just an FYI..I just spoke to the boy…he is ok physically, hurt mentally , . My son came home today saying a lot of people (kids) in school are gossiping about it..kids do that..but if you hear your child talking about this, with no facts, they need to be stopped. This is embarrassing for the boy, but kids AND adults need to get facts..then discuss with the kids..if you cant get right facts..then dont talk about it..The son can read these comments.. sending u hugs buddy..u know Im here