JOPLIN, Missouri—One of two Missouri men accused of subjecting an 11-year-old boy to grueling exercises and beatings has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Thirty-year-old Robert Black-Gamble was sentenced on Monday, March 25, after pleading guilty to felony child abuse. As part of his plea agreement, a second count of child abuse was dismissed.
Authorities said the boy had showed up at school with severe bruising on his buttocks.
A probable-cause affidavit states Black-Gamble made the boy perform physical training exercises, including push-ups, sit-ups, wall sits and planks for about seven hours.
Whenever the boy complained, he would be spanked with a hand, belt, wooden kitchen utensil, and tree branch.
How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation. Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect.“Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children),” according to Childhelp.