The article states that the kid was given the steroids during a "weekend visitation" - I take that as if the father and mother are separated, meaning good ol' Todd Gerleman will probably lose his weekend visitation rights, at least until this child becomes and adult in a few years.

He did get charged already with distribution, which is the normal charge for such a crime.

Here's the lug
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/deadspin/2009/01/steroiddad.jpg
Source(s):
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090113/NEWS03...
http://wcco.com/crime/steroids.father.son.2.907223.html
http://deadspin.com/5130959/finish-your-anabolic-steroids-or-there-will-be-...

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I am surprised the father was only charged with delivering a controlled substance to a minor and not also charged with child abuse. To answer your question, "what SHOULD happen" to the father, i defer to the rule of law. The father SHOULD be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Under Iowa law, the Iowa Department of Human Services has the legal authority to conduct an assessment of child abuse when it is alleged that:

* The victim is a child.
* The child is subjected to one or more of the eight categories of child abuse defined in Iowa Code section 232.68:
o Physical abuse
o Mental injury
o Sexual abuse
o Child prostitution
o Presence of illegal drugs
o Denial of critical care
o Manufacturing or possession of a dangerous substanced (defined in Iowa Code 232.2)
o Bestiality in the presence of a child
* The abuse is the result of the acts or omissions of the person responsible for the care of the child.

This code not only grants DHS the power to investigate it also outlines the definition of child abuse under Iowa law. Not all steroids are illegal for adults to use but I would argue that providing steroids to a minor and directing them to use the drugs meets the requirements for holding the parent liable for child abuse under several sections of the law. Those include the presence of illegal drugs (in that they were provided to the minor), mental abuse as steroids combined with the father's antagonistic disposition will certainly lead to mental issues (steroids have been shown to cause mental problems to develop in many users, particularly those of a young age) and possibly even physical abuse if it can be shown that the drugs interacted with his body or even if he used the syringe in a manner that led to harm.

While others may disagree I personally believe it's disgusting that someone would treat their child in the way this man has.

Finally, I want to clearly state that I am not an attorney licensed in Iowa. What I have written is only my opinion and should not in any way be construed as legal advice or opinion.
Source(s):
http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/consumers/safety_and_protection/abuse_reporting/...

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I think that it depends on whether the kid was a willing participant with the steroids. If he was willing, then end of story, but if not the I think that this should go down as child abuse. The father should probably be charged with child abuse and if the steroids are illegal, be charged with illegal possession.
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