FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A local Assemblyman charged with child abuse admits to using corporal punishment.
Assembly-Member Joachin Arambula admitted he spanked his 7-year-old daughter.
He’s now facing a misdemeanor charge of “Willful Cruelty to a Child.”
The children have been placed back in the home.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer speaks about acceptable discipline
“I can’t really comment about what the laws were 25 year ago, but I do think the level of tolerance to the degree where there is injury has changed in our society,” said Chief Dyer.
Referring to the biblical saying “Spare the rod, spoil the child” what is too far?
“I know there are people out there that are going to speculate as to whether or not what occurred is reasonable or not reasonable, but they’re simply going to speculate because they do not know the circumstances, the facts of this case or the extent of the injury,” said Chief Dyer.
Dyer spoke during his monthly Crime View report on Wednesday, answering media questions about the arrest.
He said Arambula’s arrest was a misdemeanor and not a felony because the child’s injury did not require medical attention.
When asked what is the line between disipline and abuse, Dyer explained that spanking a child is generally legal if it’s in a fleshy area such as the buttocks “but not if it’s in a place likely to cause injury like the face.”
Dyer admitted Arambula is not only a public figure but a friend.
“I would ask people to reserve judgement either way,” said Dyer, “and to allow the court process to be carried out.”
The Fresno County District Attorney set March 13, 2019 as the date Arambula will first appear in court.
On Tuesday, the Fresno County Republican Party had called on Arambula to resign.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Michael Evans, the Chairman of the Fresno County Democratic Party defended him;
“Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula has been an advocate for Fresno, a good parent, a conscientious emergency medical doctor and a strong Democratic representative.”
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’S Liz Kern:
