@teedie2, glad you're with us on this sad, sad thread.
Our sweet Anthony, with his positive attitude and eagerness to please -- at least that's the way it seemed with his favorite teacher -- probably would have turned out to be a very special person. We will never know. At least now, he won't go to sleep in pain, fear, and hunger every night.
We have seen cases of domestic cruelty as it pertains to husband/wife, etc. Often, when the male adult is the abuser of the female adult, it is a matter of control. It is often coupled with the male's humiliation at the workplace. He feels he is under-employed, not given respect, underpaid, etc. Certainly this could be the case sometimes. So he comes home where he will get respect, one way or another -- belittling the spouse, complaining about the meal, the messiness of the house, and the errands she didn't get done that day, etc. So the shows it physically
because he can. Revenge, but against the wrong person. Power.
That's often how it is with the abuse of children --
because he/she/they can. A power trip. Some children are more stubborn or mischievous or rebellious; some are the ones who are afraid, or "sissy," or they cry too much, or they are "stupid," etc., etc. It's a toss-up which type they select for the harsh and cruel treatment that sometimes leads to death or permanent disability.
"Yes, you little cry-baby, I am somebody, and I had a bad day."
It's often as simple as that.
It's because they can.