Janie, your unfortunate experience does not represent the status of the law. Corporal punishment is legal in the United States and there are no criminal or civil penalties for its use. If exaggerated allegations were made against you with respect to the discipline methods you utilized (which is what it sounds like) that might, at least in part, explain the outcome. Additionally, from our prior conversations, I believe there were several other factors taken into consideration by the court in fashioning a disposition in your case.

I can never remember which is better . . . safe? . . . or sorry?