I have watched the video of Judge William Adams beating his 16 year old, mentally ill, daughter with a large belt a total of 17 times and threatening to hit her in the “f_____ face” if she didn't turn over and lay on the bed.

Regardless of what our laws state-this IS considered child abuse. There is no excuse for torturing a child this way. Someone who isn't allowed to even vote because they are A CHILD, has to obey a parent or this is acceptable discipline? It broke my heart to read about what our laws allow and this is not right. A grown man should not be able to strike a CHILD with an object the way this man did. We as the public/tax payers should stand up for this girl who endured these beatings over a period of time when she was younger, and force Texas to re-evaluate the laws of child abuse. I understand child need discipline, but this isn't considered discipline.

This man knows the law well enough to know-he will more than likely walk free with no charges being pressed against him because this is OK. You can watch the video for yourself at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl9y3SIPt7o

This is the Texas Law for Child Abuse:

-According to Chapter 261 of the Family Code (recodified in 1995), child abuse is an act or omission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical, mental or emotional health and development. Child abuse may take the form of physical or emotional injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, physical neglect, medical neglect, or inadequate supervision.

-The law specifically excludes “reasonable” discipline by the child’s parent, guardian, or conservator; corporal punishment is not in itself abusive under the law. An act or omission is abusive only if “observable and material impairment” occurs as a result, or if it causes “substantial harm,” or exposes the child to risk of substantial harm.

This is just unacceptable to be a Law!

Please don't disregard this petition. Help me try and make a difference for future situations like these.

I really appreciate the help from everyone.