HIALEAH, Fla. – The father who beat his son with a karate belt, as the boy was on his knees saying he was sorry, was not home Friday night. A man who was at their trailer home in Miami said the boy's mom -- who was seen in the video encouraging the beating -- was also not there.
A mobile phone video showed Reinaldo Herrada, 52, who has a criminal record, and Ana Herrada, 42, with their crying son Feb. 26 at Hialeah School of Self Defense, 1982 E. Fourth Ave.
Despite the boy's apologies and the disturbing expressions of the witnesses, the parents showed no mercy. And it was all because the boy chose to play instead of doing his homework at the after school program in Hialeah.
A witness reported the incident and turned over the video to authorities.
The video served as evidence to charge the dad with child abuse and the mom with child neglect. The parents turned themselves in on Wednesday and spent the night in jail. Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer said Thursday that she was concerned about the boy.
Glazer had a question: "If this is how they punish him in public, what are they doing when they are not in public?"
The father has a criminal record. He was accused of attacking Magali Matos in 2000 and was charged with battery in the case.
The Florida Department of Children and Families had custody of the boy Friday. The Herradas, who were not available to explain their actions, were out on a $5,500 bond.