A Vancouver couple is accused of using plastic clothes hangers and other household items to beat the man’s 11-year-old son, court records show.
Anthony Scott Davis, 43, and Amanda Marie Davis, 31, appeared Friday in Clark County Superior Court on allegations of second-degree assault of a child and second-degree criminal mistreatment, and third-degree assault of a child, respectively.
During his hearing, Anthony Davis told the court he has an open Child Protective Services case and said, “It’s my kid, I spanked him because…” before the judge cut him off.
In asking for bail, the prosecution cited the serious nature of the allegations and said Anthony Davis has shown a “blatant disregard” for his child’s care and a lack of remorse.
Prosecutors said Anthony Davis “took pride” in abusing his son when he was contacted by Clark County sheriff’s deputies.
Judge David Gregerson set Anthony Davis’ bail at $80,000. He noted the “fairly alarming allegations” but said he was also concerned about the man’s criminal history — which includes drug convictions, warrants and no-contact orders — and demeanor in court.
Anthony Davis interrupted the proceedings multiple times, accusing the prosecution of lying and urging the judge to follow the Constitution.
Gregerson set bail at $30,000 for Amanda Davis.
The couple will be arraigned Feb. 17.
Reported by teacher
Deputies responded Tuesday afternoon to Gaiser Middle School for an 11-year-old boy with suspicious injuries. They notified CPS and learned the agency had already started an investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.
A probable cause affidavit states the boy told a teacher his stepmother had beaten him with a plastic coat hanger the day before. The teacher saw marks on the boy’s back.
The boy told investigators he was in trouble with his parents for losing a pink sweatshirt that he didn’t want to wear. He said his father has also hit him with a leather belt on his lower back and buttocks, according to the affidavit. He said he was unable to sleep on his back or side because of the pain.
Caseworkers took the boy into protective custody. A 12-year-old boy was also taken into protective custody following a welfare check at the home, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said there was no evidence the older boy had been physically abused, but they found additional evidence related to the younger boy’s abuse, according to the sheriff’s office.
A doctor at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center said the 11-year-old suffered bruising inflicted over time and consistent with torture, according to the affidavit.
When deputies responded for the welfare check, Anthony Davis allegedly asked if it was because of the hanger marks on his 11-year-old son. He said “that little (expletive) feels no pain,” the affidavit states.
Anthony Davis told investigators the boy had been causing problems at home and school. In addition to encouraging his wife to use hangers to beat his son, Anthony Davis allegedly said he uses a leather belt and paint stir sticks. He allegedly said he would beat his son until he had welts on his buttocks, court records say.
Amanda Davis told investigators her husband instructed her to use a hanger to beat the boy, the affidavit states.
According to court records, Anthony Davis cited two Bible verses used to justify his parental discipline, and he said he doesn’t have to follow state law because the law is illegal. He claimed judges and legislators are breaking the Constitution.
Investigators discovered a sleeping bag in the boys’ closet. The 12-year-old told them his brother sleeps on the floor of the closet and urinates in there because he’s too afraid to wake his parents when using the bathroom, the affidavit states.
