A Phoenix father has been sentenced for child abuse after using frozen hot dogs to reduce swelling to the legs and backside of his 2-year-old son.
Court documents show that 23-year-old Joshua Junior Rodriguez was sentenced to five years probation after he pleaded guilty to child abuse.
However, Rodriguez is now in danger of having that probation revoked after he was arrested last month for a home burglary.
Phoenix police arrested Rodriguez on October 31, 2017, for child abuse that he inflicted upon his 2-year-old son on October 11.
Police say that after an argument, the boy's mother was packing a bag to leave when she heard "whipping sounds" coming from the garage. When she looked in, she saw Rodriguez striking their son on the bottom with a strap from a duffel bag.
She grabbed the boy away from him and went into the house. However, Rodriguez pushed her away and grabbed the boy again, taking him to the bedroom, removing his diaper and continuing to strike him on the butt.
Rodriguez then threw him on the bed and spanked him 23 times, before taking him into the showers where he struck him again when the boy tried to get out.
After seeing the injuries he inflicted, Rodriguez placed a package of frozen hot dogs on his son's butt to reduce the swelling.
He told the child’s mother, "You're going to get me for child abuse, huh?" He would not allow her to leave the house until she agreed not to call the police.
During his initial court appearance, Rodriguez claimed, "these are all false allegations."
Police said the boy suffered "extensive bruising" and scratches.
