Man Accused Of Hitting Kids With Belt For Not Finishing Breakfast

SPRING HILL, FL -- A 42-year-old Spring Hill man has been charged with child abuse after Pasco Sheriff's deputies say he struck three children with a belt for not eating their breakfast within a 30-minute time limit.

Benny James III of Spellman Court was arrested on March 6 after the Pasco County Sheriff's Office investigated a complaint about his discipline methods.

According to deputies, James hit the children ages 5, 8 and 9 years old with a belt on their buttocks, hands, feet and backs when they didn't eat their breakfast within a half an hour. Deputies said he then gave them 10 more minutes to finish their breakfast. When they still couldn't finish in the time allotted, deputies said he struck them again.

Deputies said the children had visible injuries including bruises on the feet of one child.

James was arrested on three counts of child abuse and taken to the Land O' Lakes Detention Center where bond was set at $15,000.

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