TAMPA, Fla. — The father of a 16-year-old boy in Tampa is facing child abuse charges after being caught on video encouraging his son to beat up another teen, deputies said.
VIDEO: Teen Fight (graphic)
In the video that was taken last weekend, Philip Struthers is heard telling his son to punch the other boy in his eyes, and to slam his head on the ground.
Tampa deputies said Struthers made no attempt to break up the fight.
"He is not only encouraging him to fight, but to actually do damage by slamming his head on the concrete and gouge his eyes out. That could have caused severe damage and death," said Larry McKinnon, of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Struthers bonded out of jail on Wednesday and the judge ordered him to stay away from his own children.
WFTV
