crime

Man arrested for assaulting girlfriend's 4-year-old son

45 Comments

Police in Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, said Tuesday they have arrested a 41-year-old man for allegedly punching his girlfriend's four-year-old son in the face.

The suspect, identified as Yoshiyuki Suzuki, works as a security guard. He is accused of hitting the boy in the face and head with an open hand and a back scratcher on multiple occasions between Feb 5 and 12, NTV reported. Police say large bruises were visible around the boy's eyes and that scratches were also found on his posterior. Doctors expect it will take around two weeks for the boy's injuries to heal.

Police believe the abuse was ongoing. The mistreatment came to light after a neighbor reported hearing the sounds of a child being beaten. The caller told the emergency operator that it was not the first time the sounds had been heard, according to NTV.

During police questioning, the boy's mother, 26, told investigators that they started living together in September of last year, but the abuse started at the beginning of this year. She also told police that the boy had been stripped naked and locked out on the balcony as punishment, NTV said.

According to police, Suzuki said he was disciplining the boy, who was taken into protective custody last month.

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45 Comments
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Mom is an idiot. The second she saw abuse going on is the same second she should have moved out and taken her son.

Mom = massive FAIL! Hopefully they find a caring home for the boy because the mom is scum just like her cowardly child abusing boyfriend and doesn't deserve to have him back

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I blame both the mother and the mothers boyfriend. The mother should have stood up for her child, if she could not do anything then she should have moved out. As of the boyfriend of the mother of this child, who is he to act in a way that he did. He is so cruel and mean. The kid was only 4 years old. This guy should be thrown into jail for at least 3 years and made to enter into an angry management class for no less than 2 years.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Well done that neighbour. He/she may just have saved a baby's life. I'd like to see more neighbours show such awareness, like in those 'died alone in apartment' cases we've been hearing about. Well done again I say.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Tough guy, eh? Stupid non-protective mother, eh?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Damn, I've gotta hug my daughter, and she's gonna think I am weird again....

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Good on the neighbor for calling the police when they heard trouble. A lot of people would have just ignored it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Is this like a Japanese weekly incident?? Bastards! Some people no hearts and I guess no brains! I feel so bad for this little boy.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Hopefully, this little boy will now have a chance at a better life, with the offending parties removed from it.

His wounds may take weeks, but his mental wounds may take longer...

The positive note of this story is the call placed by a neighbor.

MORE of these should occur, not after a second time, but the first.

No child deserves to be abused like that, by anyone, for any reason.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

the boy had been stripped naked and locked out on the balcony as punishment

There's an oldy, but a goody! How these people ever expect to discipline a child when they can't even discipline themselves is beyond me! It makes me sick to hear and see how children are treated in Japan. At least half a dozen times I have passed a comment to a mother or father beating down on their kid on public. Gawd only knows what happens to these little blighters in private. Yeah, yeah, child abuse happens all over the world, but only in Japan does it happen with a unique cowardliness and selfishness. I swear, most Japanese never get older than 14!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Put this tough guy suzuki in prison with the other tough guys and let him learn what being beaten feels like

ExportExpert-They should throw him in an American prison and tell the other prisoners what he's in for.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

is totally child abuse! Not disciplining at all.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Never Submit: Every child deserves to be with their natural parents. All else being equal I think natural fathers are far less likely to harm and far more likely to love then temporary boyfriends that visit their mom's house every now and then.

The boy was with his natural mother, who allowed the abuse to continue and progress. How's that for your theory of a child being with his/her natural parents?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Too many times do we read this same story, this doesnt only happen in this country either.

Child beaters need help and the children need more help and greater protection from these monsters who attack children and call it discipline.

Put this tough guy suzuki in prison with the other tough guys and let him learn what being beaten feels like, then see if he still thinks he is a tough guy around 4 year olds.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Suzuki san need some disciplining too and lots of it!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Every child deserves to be with their natural parents.

All else being equal I think natural fathers are far less likely to harm and far more likely to love then temporary boyfriends that visit their mom's house every now and then

There are exceptions to every rule... I personally know of a case where the natural father beat up his son because he had wet his bed. The mother was also being beaten up (usually punched in the face) on a daily basis - that is, until she grabbed the son and rushed off far away from her husband. The man who "replaced" the natural father was a real angel! He couldn't do enough to help these two out! Unfortunately, he died from brain haemorrhage at the ripe old age of 47...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If you are not willing to marry someone, why would you entrust them with the lives/safety of your child?

Well it isnt like single mothers can afford to pay the rent and get their drink on all by themselves. Be realistic.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

JT has something about a kid dying or being punched by a boyfriend in Japan....every day.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

How does a child grow to be an adult who could hit a 4 yr old in the face? Just don't understand that? Then again, I'll never understand a woman who would allow someone to beat up her son. Beyond me.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I hope he gets beaten to death in prison.

Let's hope the poor little boy is OK - but I doubt the mental trauma will heal soon.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"Pishposh! I was disciplined by my dad, and I grew up just fine!", says Suzuki the child beater.

Mommy is a collaborator. Active or silent one, it makes no difference, she failed to protect her child.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Very sad knowing this is still a common occurrence. Not just in japan, but everywhere around the world. I used to think it was a generational thing. But I believe its more so a never ending cycle of abuse. It would not surprise me if the man was abused as a child or 'disciplined' in the same fashion.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What kind of useless idiot chooses to stay with a man rather than protect their child from their partner? That said this is not just a "Japan" thing, it happens everywhere. I hope that this woman gets the help she needs and she and her son can be safely reunited. Life is probably going to be a lot better for him with his mother than in the care system, as long as she gets her act together.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Another one of these disgusting stories. Too many of them already. I hate the abuser, but I hate the stupid mother just as much. Why did she allow this to happen, instead of kicking out the creep? Clearly he is not fit to be a father.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

One thing I can say to this article, is that I am relieved the boy is alive and his injuries were treatable. I don't think he is OK on the inside, but I hope they can heal that too away from this abusive .... what should I call him?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So many things I want to say about this situation, mostly bad. But I will only say, I hope the boy gets the love and attention all kids deserve.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Okay, you all need to STOP blaming the mother. She was in an abusive relationship. Do you know what was probably happening to her too? Don't be so blind. If the boy was getting beaten, she was too. Abused women can't stand up to their abusers. They feel trapped and he probably threatened her about leaving or saying anything. She was probably scared that he would kill her son as punishment if she tried to get away with him. I blame Japanese society for making these women hide in shame. There aren't nearly enough easy to access safe houses for women. There was NO WHERE for her to go.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Every child deserves to be with their natural parents.

All else being equal I think natural fathers are far less likely to harm and far more likely to love then temporary boyfriends that visit their mom's house every now and then.

As the family unit continues to break down we'll unfortunately see more and more of these types of incidents.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Another week, another abused kid with a similar scenario. They could run this article every week and change names, ages and places.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@NeverSubmit.... in japan it's the mother who usually take care of the offspring. Even in divorce parents, the law give preference for the mother to get the kids. Unless mother is a psych case or incapable. It's really a shame this happen to children in Japan. Probably wrong upbringing and family values. A country with many good parents wishing for a child but uncapable. And here are mothers blessed with a child but cannot protect and care. There is really something wrong. Poor thing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Boyfriend probably deserves a bit of Giuliani Time to have him come correct.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@dolittle..Of course there are cases of abuse during marriage. Nothing is perfect. But the chances of abuse statistically are exponentially greater when people are cohabiting. At least it shows a modicum of responsibility to go the paperwork before living together.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hitting someone is not assault it is battery…well maybe not in Japan but assault is the threat or credible violence, battery is the physical contact often the byproduct of assault. Hence the term assault and battery for those involved in fighting.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

First of all what did the mother say? Why was she not the one putting a stop to this? If I was this kids father I would request about 5 minutes in a room with him alone. I would beat the brakes off of him. A weak man putting his hands on a child. Yeah that really makes women like you more........you can beat up a kid.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mothers who know this abuse is going on and do nothing about it should be stripped of their title. To be someones "Mother" is a privilege, not a right.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

Brknarm, she was probably being controlled and abused by this individual as well, and certainly needs help and support to be able to be a better mother, and stronger person.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

OK, I have to say something. I can understand hitting someone in a moment of anger. But locking a 4 year old outside for an extended period of time without clothes is premeditated torture.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan is certainly an uncivilized society when it comes to the care of their children.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

This shows the folly of living together without getting married, when children are involved.

Right-winger, if the marriage makes everything so pretty and pink, where was the child's dad then? Violent child-beater married is still a violent child-beater.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Just another day in Japan...

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

midnullApr. 04, 2012 - 01:14PM JST

JT has something about a kid dying or being punched by a boyfriend in Japan....every day.

Of course! Even though this wouldn't be nationally newsworthy in most other countries, child abuse articles attract a lot of comments for JT.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This shows the folly of living together without getting married, when children are involved. I dont know why a parent would expose their children to this kind of thing. If you are not willing to marry someone, why would you entrust them with the lives/safety of your child? All for the sake of a warm body in bed.

I think I mentioned a week or so ago that it seems so many examples of child abuse in Japan are either a/ single mother losing her rag, or b/ abuse by boyfriend of single mother. There are times I wish I could be wrong....

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

My thinking is you can 't choose your parents(good/bad), etc and life gives you a lot to deal with anyway. You just got to deal with what you are facing. Natural/Foster parent or not.

Not saying what happened is good or bad but the kid learned a few important lessons earlier than supposed.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Japan seems to be having some sort of social collapse, theres more and more murders and suicides every day.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

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