Woman Gets Probation and Loses Custody of Children - For Spanking

As a parent, this is frightening. I really don't understand the judge's reasoning here or how it could be considered a felony. When did spanking a child become outlawed? The erosion of parental rights continues in our country.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (CBS) -- A judge in Corpus Christi, Texas some harsh words for a mother charged with spanking her own child, before sentencing her to probation.

"You don't spank children today," said Judge Jose Longoria. "In the old days, maybe we got spanked, but there was a different quarrel. You don't spank children."

Rosalina Gonzales had pleaded guilty to a felony charge of injury to a child for what prosecutors had described as a "pretty simple, straightforward spanking case." They noted she didn't use a belt or leave any bruises, just some red marks.

As part of the plea deal, Gonzales will serve five years probation, during which tiume she'll have to take parenting classes, follow CPS guidelines, and make a $50 payment to the Children's Advocacy Center.

She was arrested back in December after the child's paternal grandmother noticed red marks on the child's rear end. The grandmother took the girl, who was two years-old at the time, to the hospital to be checked out.

Gonzales doesn't have custody of the child or her other two children. She is trying to get them back, but until CPS feels she is ready the kids are living with their paternal grandmother.

Before I get a lot of comments about how spanking doesn't work or how there are better forms of discipline (I generally agree), I believe this should be left up to the parents, unless real abuse is taking place.