A father seen disciplining his teenage daughter in multiple viral videos that sparked concern among viewers said he doesn’t regret his actions, but he does regret broadcasting the video, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The Instagram videos posted Sept. 6 appear to show a Georgia teenager being disciplined by a man and a woman. According to Channel 2, the man and woman identified themselves as the 14-year old’s father and stepmother.
The father, Andrew Eugene Anderson, told Channel 2 that he was confronting his daughter for repeatedly lying, stealing and running away.
“I stand behind what I did as a father. Somebody who is concerned,” Anderson told the news station.
While many viewers believed his methods were too physical, Anderson told Channel 2 that he and his wife have never hit the teen. He added that it appeared that way because of the camera angle.
Anderson also defended his actions, telling Channel 2 that he was showing his teen what could happen if a stranger wanted to harm her.
“My intent was to give her an experience that she could feel because she is not listening to me,” Anderson explained.
At the moment, the teen is staying with a family friend, according to Channel 2.
Gwinnett County police spokesman Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle said a Special Victims Unit detective has been working on the case and “assuming it happened in Gwinnett County.”
“Detectives are working with the district attorney’s office to determine whether there will be criminal charges in this case,” Winderweedle said.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
About the Author
