An email this morning directed us to the libertarian Culpepper Blog where the writer criticizes Fox News for overplaying the story of Irish Traveler Madeline Gorman TooGood and the videotaped beating of her child.

We disagree and think it is a legitimate story although sure, it's been blown out of proportion. We hope it raises consciousness about child abuse and encourages people to intervene if they witness abuse. Victims of child abuse often become abusers themselves and treatment can be effective in breaking the cycle of violence.

On the other hand, we are also impressed by Ms. TooGood's immediate and total remorse, her acknowledgement that the tape makes her look like a monster, and her stated willingness to go to jail, attend parenting classes and "do whatever it takes" to get her daughter back.

Putting the child in foster home and splitting up the family does not seem to us to be the answer as it will surely traumatize the little girl and her two brothers for a long time to come. Especially when Ms. Toogood's husband and other relatives are willing to care for them pending the outcome of an investigation.

Before calling for Ms. Toogood's head, we should wait until social service officials have concluded their investigation and can offer an opinion as to whether this was a one time occurrence or a pattern of conduct and whether Ms. TooGood constitutes an ongoing threat to her children. Maybe this is a sixty second lapse by an otherwise exemplary mom--the facts aren't out yet.

The arraignment is tomorrow morning. The charge against her carries a maximum of three years in jail. She has the same right to discuss a plea bargain with the prosecutor as every other defendant and should not be criticized if she pleads not guilty tomorrow. Although, we won't be surprised if she pleads guilty tomorrow, throwing herself at the mercy of the Court for sentencing.

A sentence should not be imposed on Ms. TooGood until after the Court has had an opportunity to review a pre-sentence report prepared by professionals who have studied Ms. TooGood and interviewed family members and others who know them and have interacted with them.

So while we disagree with the Culpepper in that we find this is a legitimate story to cover (as opposed to being filler on a slow news weekend,) we also caution that none of us know enough to be calling out the firing squad at this juncture.

Update: Ms. Toogood pleaded not guilty at her hearing today. But tonight her lawyer said she would not contest the beating charge and would throw herself on the mercy of the court for sentencing.

We have cut off the comments feature to this post because there are too many for our bandwidth, sorry.