Florida Parents Arrested After Father Assaults Child Over Couch Cushion

The father beat the child for 28 minutes, while the mother failed to intervene or report the abuse, authorities say.

Lance Rachel, 42, was charged with aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation after assaulting a child in Kissimmee, Florida, on December 7.
Authorities say Rachel struck the child over 50 times with a belt, choked him, and threatened to break his jaw during the 28-minute attack.
The incident reportedly began over a displaced couch cushion, with Rachel accusing the child of lying and using obscene language throughout the assault.
Some of the abuse was captured on the family's in-home surveillance cameras, and Rachel later confirmed the incident to detectives during questioning.
Kimberly Rachel, 35, was also arrested and charged with failure to report known child abuse after admitting she did not intervene or notify authorities.