People v. Parrott

Defendant was convicted, after bench trial, of domestic battery, for whipping 6-year-old child with a belt which children stated was because child had eaten Defendant's biscuit. Defendant raised affirmative defense of reasonable parental discipline.  Court need not expressly consider each factor when determining reasonableness of discipline. Factor of degree of physical injury (2 red welts on upper portion of back of legs) weighed heavily against any finding of reasonableness. It was rational for court to determine that discipline was unreasonable here. (HOLDRIDGE and LYTTON, concurring.)