Gainesville mom arrested, accused of hitting son with belt

A Gainesville woman was charged with child abuse Monday for reportedly hitting her 6-year-old son with a belt. The boy told investigators that he was directed by his mother to lie about how he was injured.

Abena Frerea Lee, 25, was arrested by Gainesville police, who were notified about the situation by the Florida Department of Children and Families. According to police, the boy told someone at his school that he was hit multiple times with a belt and - as required by state law - a school official notified the state agency.

Police spokesman Lt. Keith Kameg said the incident happened in the home where Lee and her children live with her sister and the sister's children in the 4300 block of Northwest 25th Terrace. Investigators said the boy was hit in the face, on the right hand and on both feet with a belt after reportedly getting into trouble in school. A three-inch long scratch was seen on the boy's cheek, police said.

The boy initially told investigators that he was injured when he fell off his bike but later said his mother told him to give that version of the story. The boy changed his story and said his mother hit him with a belt.

Lee told investigators that she only disciplined her children by giving them a time out or removing privileges. She reportedly said the boy's injuries were play-related.

Lee was being held at the Alachua County jail on Tuesday.