Beacon PBA helps beaten boy join family in Fla.

BEACON -- A local teenager who was allegedly assaulted by his father last week was able to return his family in Florida Thursday with the help of the Beacon Police Benevolent Association.

The 15-year-old boy, whose name was withheld, stayed with friends for several days after his father was arrested for allegedly whipping him with a belt.

The boy's family had moved to Florida so he had to stay with a local family while his father remained in jail. Beacuse of limited finances, the family had no idea when they'd be able to fly the teen home.

''The kid hadn't seen his father in years and now the father comes around and does something like this,'' Beacon police Detective James Pavelock said. "The kid is obviously traumatized.''

Pavelock said he and other PBA officials wanted to get a plane ticket to Florida as quickly as possible in hopes of reuniting the boy with his family.

The father, 37, was charged with a felony count of first-degree assault and misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. He was sent to Dutchess County with bail set at $10,000.

He is to appear in Beacon city court Wednesday.