WI: Dad spanks teen at HS-no abuse or neglect seen Milwaukee

Posted on Thu, Feb. 26, 2004





WISCONSIN BRIEFING: LA CROSSE LA CROSSE MAN DIES AFTER FALLING THROUGH ICE: A
fisherman died after falling through the ice on a Black River slough.


Leroy F. Lachman, 75, of La Crosse, was fishing with a friend when he fell
through the ice Tuesday afternoon, according to the La Crosse County Sheriff's
Department.

His friend also fell through the ice when he tried to help, Sgt. Mark Yehle
said. The friend managed to climb out after 15 minutes and went for help.

Another man called 911 and then tried to pull Lachman out, but he also fell in.
He was able to stand in the water and prevent Lachman "from submerging until
rescue personnel arrived and removed both from the water," Yehle said.

Authorities said Lachman might have hit his head as he fell in the water.

CUDAHY

Police to review school spanking

Police and child welfare officials plan to review an incident in which a man
spanked his daughter in front of other students in her high school biology
class.

Cudahy police and the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare had initially
determined they found no basis for child abuse or neglect.

Officials decided Tuesday to reconsider more review based on the public
attention on the case.

"To satisfy concerns, we'll run it past the district attorney's office not to
seek charges but to see if there is anything criminal there," Cudahy Police
Chief David Tellock said.

Police and child welfare officials said state law allows parents to discipline
their children as long as they do not cause physical injury.

School officials said the girl had disrupted her biology class Feb. 11, leading
assistant principal Greg DePue to talk to her father when he was at school the
next day addressing a situation with another child.

DePue said the father entered the classroom, called his daughter to the front
and told her he would not have her disrupting class. He then told the girl to
turn around and spanked her on her bottom, police said.

—Associated Press