[StBernard] St. Bernard father arrested for child abuse after slapping boy

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard father arrested for child abuse after slapping boy
Updated: Oct 01, 2013 7:48 PM CDT
Written by: FOX8Live.com Staff
 
CHALMETTE, La. - A St. Bernard Parish man was arrested for child abuse after
he slapped his 3-year-old son in the face, causing the boy to slip and hit
his head on the side of a bathtub, according to Sheriff James Pohlmann.

The child also had a bite mark to the face, the sheriff said.

Joshua Drakin, 32, of Gnell Drive in eastern St. Bernard Parish faces
charges of felony second-degree battery and cruelty to a juvenile, the
sheriff said.

The 3-year-old was taken to St. Bernard Parish Hospital by his mother Friday
night after she heard him crying loudly and found his face bloodied.
According to a police report, she said Drakin told her the boy had gotten
into the refrigerator and made a mess of leftovers and needed a bath. She
said he also told her that when he removed the child's pants to bathe him,
he found the boy had soiled himself and claimed he "freaked out'' and
slapped him, causing the child to slip and hit the side of the tub.

After his arrest, Drakin admitted to slapping his son in the face, causing
him to fall, but denied biting him, Pohlman said.

Drakin was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison early Saturday morning and
remains there on a $7,500 bond.