VERO BEACH — A man was jailed after police said he punched his 10-year-old son several times on the arms and in the face earlier this week. The boy – described as having special needs – had multiple bruises on his arms from the incident, reports show.
Joseph Allen Webb Sr.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Joseph Allen Webb Sr., 43, of the 900 block of 19th Street, Vero Beach, was charged with cruelty toward a child without great bodily harm. Webb was held Wednesday at the Indian River County Jail on $15,000 bond.
A school resource officer at a local elementary school notified police on Tuesday after the boy reported the abuse that happened on the Labor Day holiday. The boy told officials his father punched him while he was sitting on the couch, reports show.
The boy covered his face with his arms in an attempt to block the strikes, police said. The boy told officials he did not feel safe returning home while his father was there.
The mother of the boy said she saw Webb punch the child and that she was unable to stop it, police said. Webb stopped when the woman threatened to call police, reports show.
The three were living together as a family when the incident occurred, reports show. The boy was placed in custody of the Department of Children and Families.
Webb was arrested and booked into the county jail. Webb has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. Oct. 6, court records show.
