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Dad In Jail, Kids In Hospital Save Email Print
Posted: 3:59 AM Nov 20, 2008
Last Updated: 3:59 AM Nov 20, 2008
Reporter: Heather King

A | A | A

A dad in the East is accused of beating his own young children.

Carteret County lawmen arrested 23-year-old Jacob Leo Strait,Jr. of Roberts Rd. in Newport early Thursday morning. Deputies say Strait is accused of assaulting his 3 and 4-year-old boys Wednesday night. The two had to go to the hospital for treatment.

Lawmen say strait's bond is set at $10,000.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted by: mr pinky Location: wilson on Nov 23, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Wow this fella is harsh. True enough kids can be a lot to deal with, but these are the responsibilities that should be expected with parenthood. Disciplining a child is alright, but child brutality is not and should not be considered "discipline." This is an outrage and no child should be left in the care of this maniac. I agree with clay, the mugshot says it all.

Posted by: Cat Location: Gboro on Nov 23, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Putting a kid in the hospital is not discipline... Putting a kid in the corner? Yes. Hospital? No. This guy looks like a real winner... I hope he doesn't get those kids back. They deserve better. Makes me want to get off of work,go home, and give my 2 babies a hug! Its sad... Really sad.

Posted by: George W on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:58 AM
If you don't discipline then they might kill you!

Posted by: pahaha Location: f on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:07 PM
hey clay i think they should at least give that test in nebraska.

Posted by: ~ALPHA female~ Location: O84P on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:54 PM
George W and ed LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Posted by: Clay Location: Pollocksville on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:04 PM
The mug shot does say it all. (KKK?) Anyway, I've been saying all my life, there should be a test to QUALIFY for being a parent. Only qualified people should raise children. I have no children. I knew I didn't qualify when I was 12. Accidents? No...not me. I used a stiff zipper and the thought of having unwanted kids in my mind. That killed the mood quickly. Now, I don't have poorly raised, troubled children. And you don't have to worry about them causing you any headaches or draining your tax dollars. .....You're welcome!

Posted by: haha Location: ha on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:14 PM
wow ed you mustve spent alot of time in the hospital as a kid!

Posted by: Jack Location: Kinston on Nov 21, 2008 at 04:31 PM
A little worried about you George W.

Posted by: gaga Location: robersonville on Nov 21, 2008 at 02:22 PM
let em beat someone his own size!! Lawman!

Posted by: Elvis Location: somwhere on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM
10,000 Bond! Please the bond should be much higher!

Posted by: j Location: newport on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:33 AM
The boys did not deserve this. He shouldn't have never put his hands around their thoats to were they could not move. I'm glad the boys got taken from the mom and dad and got put in foster care. i'm glad the boys told the cops what happened. Parents sometimes thinks the kids will never tell anybody. Sorry to say kids are smarter than people think they are specially a 3 and 4 year old. Sorry jacob and candance but that what happens when you take diciplining out of control.

Posted by: ed Location: greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:14 AM
He gave those youngins an old school spanking like my daddy used to give me.

Posted by: MIKE Location: Rocky Mount on Nov 21, 2008 at 05:54 AM
TO:George W - Are you ok? Did you bump your head? Do you have any kids? If you have had to discipline them bad enough to send them to the hospital, then I hope not. A spanking is one thing, but are you serious? Maybe you could invite him over for Thanksgiving.

Posted by: Shocking Location: Greenville on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I cannot believe the comments from some of the people here. Regardless of what the kids did or what the full story is...the kids don't deserve this! I hope they are now placed in a loving and caring home! He needs to be locked up. IDIOT! Poor babies should never have been with him! God love them!

Posted by: George W on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:08 PM
He looks as if he is a pleasant fellow. Innocent until proven guilty. OBAMA!

Posted by: snowy1158 Location: windsor on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:44 PM
I use to live in Carteret Co. where this creep lives and the courts their are so easy on bonds....i know personally. My ex was a habitual abuser and the most time he ever spent in jail was 48 hours and never got any bond set for him This guy should have at least a $200,000-300,000 bond!!! Listen up Carteret County!!!

Posted by: Wilma Location: bushya, IL on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Daquyanna, you got busted by the WITN internet police! Be proud girl! Be proud!

Posted by: WITN Moderator Location: WITN on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Please use upper and lower cases with all posts. NO SHOUTING! Thank you

Posted by: DAQUYANNA Location: nc on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:47 PM
GW " U MUST B CRAZY" WHAT CAN A 3 & 4 YR OLD DO 2 BE BEATEN SO THEY NEED HOSPITAL TREATMENT? TIME OUT OR JUST PUT THEM TO BED NOT A BEATDOWN. I PRAY 4 THEM WITH A FATHER WHO DOES THAT.

Posted by: ss Location: jacksonville on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Regardless of what the kids did, they did not deserve a beating so bad they had to be hospitalized. His bond should be much more until he gets his day in court. Then the judge/jury should sentence him to 25 lashes per child.

Posted by: George W on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:39 PM
We need to know what these children did before we pass judgement. Kids can cause a lot of strife and some times they need to be disciplined.

Posted by: Wilma Location: bogata, TX on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:22 PM
23 years old, with a three year old and a four year old? Another fine example for the younger generation to be proud of!!!

Posted by: JD Location: New Bern on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Only $10,000 bond!!!! This is ridiculous! These are babies that have been hurt intentionally. I hope these children are taken away from him forever and put with people who actually care, respect and love them to the fullest. These children deserve it for being beat at their age. People who hurt children should not be allowed to see or hear from the kids ever again!

Posted by: a person Location: a place on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:35 AM
this is pathetic! people like this shouldnt be behing bars forever! the look on his face shows he has no sign of regretting anything. if he has done this once he will do this AGAIN! why even let him out? people like this never change. I feel so sorry for them babies, and i hope they never have to be faced with this man again!

Posted by: Rufus Location: Lewiston on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Steve get a life. A judge will decide, not you. It's routine to send kids who have been reported abused to be evaluated. It's a HIPPA violation to obtain this information without informed written consent. Why don't you just judge him and punish him yourself. Judgemental.

Posted by: T Location: Washington on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:09 AM
George, what exactly do u mean "what did the kids do"? Doesn't matter what they did, they are 3&4 YOA. This punk will not look so tough when he is in central prison. Sounds as though you probably need to be in the same place he is going. Rufus.. You are contradicting yourself. In one sentence you say "accusations", blah, blah, blah, but then you say we all should get help along with this guy. To me, this seems as though you know this thug, or you agree he needs help.In other words, you have just made an accusation against him. I know what he needs, but I will keep it clean.

Posted by: Kim on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:54 AM
To George W. "What did the kids do?" are you nuts, it doesn't matter, no one should harm a child in that manner. I believe in corporal punishment, but come on, that was a little too much.

Posted by: George W on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:29 AM
What did the kids do?

Posted by: betty Location: cortland on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Looking at his mug shot makes me sick. Someone needs to knock that smart look off his face. Those poor little kids. I'll bet this isn't the first time he has beaten those kids. Where is the mother?

Posted by: Momof3 Location: Greenville on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Where is the mother? And, it appears if willing to check that he has previously be convicted of Assault, Possesion with intent to sell and deliver, and larceny- just who we need raising the youth of today. I pray for these boys- the road to healing is going to be a long and hard one regardless of the severity of the physical injuries- the emotional ones will be there much longer.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Ten thousand dollar bond? Thats chicken feed.

Posted by: AJ Location: Greenville on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:31 AM
They need to put him UNDER the jail.

Posted by: Steve Location: Greenville on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Rufus are you serious? If this is needless slander why did the children go to the hospital? Why was he not only arrested, but actually put in jail? I agree with you that we as the public don't know all the facts. But the bottom line is there was enough evidence, as determined by the police, to lock him up. Don't defend this man, when you yourself don't know the facts either!

Posted by: baj on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:31 AM
how could someone do that to a 3& 4 year old. that makes me sick

Posted by: Rufus Location: Lewiston on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Other than this news report, does anyone have any facts? An accusation. An arrest. There is no evidence of injury other than a hospital visit. A picture posted allows someone to label this guy with a psychological disorder? I wouldn't want you folks on a jury for nothing. If the facts show domestic violence, ok. But as of yet, there is nothing but a report. You folks have got this guy a potential sociopathic murderer. Maybe you all could go get help with this guy. (I am in no way advocating domestic violence) I am disgusted with needless slander.

Posted by: Dawn Location: Greenville, NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Another example of how our children are safe at the hands of the court system. This man has a $10,000 bond....he is out of jail by now for sure. He will only get a slap on the wrist and he will be right back with mother and the kids....I hope the mother can find the strength and support to escape the torture of this so called man! We all need to ask our congress for stronger penalties on child abusers. We protect our animals, why not protect our children!

Posted by: Ozone Location: belhaven on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:58 AM
He looks like Mr. Tough Guy alright--Keep the baby beater in jail--What a loser!!!

Posted by: meg Location: Greenville on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:40 AM
$10,000 bond?! Who is this judge that set such a low bond? Isn't the safety of those children important enough to this judge? Where's the mom? Was she around during this? Did she get hurt?

Posted by: lookin tough Location: d on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:48 AM
that picture looks tough for a guy that has to resort to pounding on three and four year olds.

Posted by: DISGUSTED Location: NEW BERN on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:40 AM
YOU ARE A SORRY SACK OF TRASH. I HOPE YOU NEVER GET BAILED OUT AND THAT YOU SPEND THE REST OF YOUR MISERABLE LIFE BEHIND BARS. IF THEIR MAMA STAYS WITH YOU AFTER THIS SHE NEEDS TO BE LOCKED UP TOO.

Posted by: Kathy Location: Washington on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:31 AM
The look on his face shows pure sociopathic defiance order. Couple that with responsibility like children, and you've got a recipe for murder. Where was the mother? Who turned him in? What did he do to these blessed children of God? WITN, please stay on this story.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Poor boys. Don't give him a bond.

Posted by: Chris Location: Windsor on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:23 AM
Such a strong man to be able to beat up two kid's at the same time! If he has this much fight in him, and is such a strong "man" maybe he should enlist and go over to Iraq..

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