Prosecutor agrees he won't use corporal punishment to discipline kids in deal to get charges dropped
A West Virginia prosecutor has agreed he won’t use corporal punishment to discipline his children as part of a pretrial diversion program that could result in dismissal of two misdemeanor charges against him.
The charges against Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants will be dismissed after one year if he successfully completes the program, report WSAZ, MetroNews, the Charleston Gazette and WOWKTV.
Plants was charged with domestic battery for allegedly disciplining his 11-year-old son with a belt in February, leaving a six-to seven-inch bruise on the boy’s thigh. Plants was also charged with violating a domestic-violence protective order to stay away from his ex-wife and their children.
Other conditions of the agreement require Plants to stay away from his ex-wife and to give a public apology. He will also be allowed supervised visits with his children.
Plants apologized in court after the agreement was reached on Wednesday. He apologized to his 11-year-old son and other family members, and said he believes his ex-wife contacted police in good faith.
