[News Update] Charges Dropped in Brian Blair Child Abuse Case

From abcactionnews.com:

TAMPA, FL -- An attorney for former Hillsborough County commissioner Brian Blair said Blair has been cleared to reunite with his family after child abuse charges against him were dropped Thursday.

In an email sent to ABC Action News,Ryan Rodems said Blair is making airline reservations to fly to Marathon this weekend, where his wife and teenage sons are already vacationing.

Blair was barred from seeing his kids after being arrested on Father's Day for allegedly hitting his two kids during a fight at the family home early Father's Day. At an earlier news conference, Blair said he hadn't seen or spoken to his teenage boys, Brett and Bradley for 10 days.

"I wish my wife Toni was with me right now. I love her so much. This is the first time I've not been with her on vacation, along with my children in ten years," Blair told reporters in Downtown Tampa at his attorney's office.

"I regret the entire incident, I mean, I didn't hit my children, even though it says that," said Blair.

Prosecutors have decided to drop charges against former wrestler and County Commissioner Brian Blair because they believe he was defending himself and was disciplining his kids.

Blair was arrested on Father's Day, after deputies say he got into a scuffle with his two boys, 14-and-17-years old after they came home at 4:00am. A memo from the State Attorney's Office reads: "...Brian Blair, continuing to yell at him, pushed him and ultimately punched him, one time, in the face."

The memo also says that his 14-year old son "got on top of him and began to hit Brian Blair several times about his head and face, while Brian Blair attempted to block the punches." It goes on to read that 17-year-old Brett has, "anger issues with his father" and that during the argument, he had "gone crazy" and was more aggressive than his father.

Blair says it's a hard pill to swallow after the public humiliation, telling ABC Action News, "When I first was in handcuffs, I thought, wow, you know this is my whole life is passing before me, it's taken 25 years to build up a reputation mentoring children and with one phone call, I'm going to jail."

The father of two says he doesn't blame anybody for what happened and plans to seek family counseling from his pastor. "I think that it starts with everybody sitting down. It starts with a hug and a kiss and I love you," he said.

His attorney says even though Blair was released from a judge's order barring him from seeing his family, they spoke with officials with the Department of Children and Families before planning the reunion.

Blair was elected to the Hillsborough County commission in 2004, running on a platform of family values and law and order. He lost a re-election bid in 2008 to Kevin Beckner.