KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | YouTube Video Shows Questionable Parenting Tactics

YouTube Video Shows Questionable Parenting Tactics

SPOKANE, Wash. – A YouTube video out of Newport, Washington shows a mother using questionable parenting tactics.

You can see that mother shoving food in a young boy's mouth, even slapping his face.

It may be hard to watch, but is it illegal?

Technically child protective services cannot comment on any specific cases, but the legal definition of physical abuse is the non-accidental infliction of physical injury or physical mistreatment on a child.

In this case the mother strikes the child with an open hand, compared to an illegal closed fist.

Washington State Department of Social and Human Services released the following statement regarding the video.

"The DSHS Children's Administration is bound by confidentiality laws that bar us from discussing information about a child or the child's family. Confidentiality laws also prevent us from discussing investigations by Child Protective Services, or the results of those investigations because the possible abuse of a child depicted in the YouTube video could result in an investigation by CPS in Washington or another state, we cannot discuss it, or give opinions about whether we think it depicts abuse."

If you ever think a child might be in danger, call 1-800-562-5624.

CPS receives more than 7,000 complaints a month. Less than a third are actually investigated for cruel behavior. Even though it may be offensive to you, it may not be illegal.