A Florida couple is accused of subjecting a 12-year-old child to a bizarre and exhausting punishment that allegedly involved holding a heavy wooden plank against a wall for hours at a time — including one stretch that lasted more than 15 hours.
William O’Brien, 39, and Cheryl O’Brien, 32, have both been charged with domestic child abuse, according to Lake County court records.
The pair were booked into the Lake County Jail before each posting $2,500 bond on Wednesday.
Police in Fruitland Park began investigating after officers were asked to assist the Florida Department of Children and Families with a child abuse case.
Officers responded to a home on Benjamin Court at around 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 1.
Investigators had been told that a 12-year-old child was allegedly being forced to hold a wooden board for hours as punishment.
According to arrest affidavits, an officer was shown a photo of the child’s knees that appeared to show minor injuries consistent with kneeling or sitting on them for an extended period.
Police said William O’Brien appeared “initially apprehensive” when officers arrived.
Investigators first spoke with Cheryl O’Brien, who allegedly told them the child had a history of being disobedient and getting into trouble both at school and at home.
She reportedly said the child had recently struck a female student at school.
According to the affidavit, Cheryl claimed the child was given corporal punishment afterward but responded by saying they would have hit the student harder if they had known they were going to get in trouble anyway.
Cheryl allegedly admitted that she and William had been making the child hold a wooden board against a wall for about a week because they had “run out of other options for punishment.”
She reportedly said other discipline methods, including spanking and taking away the child’s belongings, had not worked.
Police said Cheryl told them the board punishment was William’s idea, but she acknowledged knowing about it and allowing it to continue.
She allegedly tried to downplay the punishment by telling officers the plank was “not very heavy” and weighed around 10 pounds.
The officer reportedly reminded her that holding even 10 pounds with both arms extended for several hours would become extremely difficult.
William O’Brien also allegedly admitted the board punishment was his idea.
Police said he described it as a “last resort” because other forms of discipline had not worked.
William reportedly told investigators he had tried talking to the child and had used corporal punishment in the past but feared being reported to DCF and potentially jeopardizing his job as a private investigator.
He allegedly admitted making the child hold the board for as long as six hours at a time.
Police then examined the plank.
Authorities said it measured about 10 inches wide and 5 feet long and weighed between 10 and 15 pounds.
Investigators later spoke directly with the child.
The 12-year-old allegedly said the board punishment had happened five or six times.
According to the affidavit, the child said they were usually ordered to hold the plank against a wall for several hours, but more time would be added if they got into further trouble.
The child described one incident that allegedly lasted from 8 a.m. until around 11:15 p.m. — more than 15 hours.
The child also reportedly told investigators that Cheryl had previously hit them with a wooden spoon on the back, buttocks and inner thigh, leaving a bruise.
In another alleged incident, the child said Cheryl struck them with a wooden spoon until it broke.
When investigators asked the child whether they felt safe around William and Cheryl, the child reportedly said no.
Police arrested both defendants and collected the wooden board as evidence.
Authorities have not said whether the child is the couple’s son.
