Call the po-lees.

I would immediately intervene annd bring the children out of harms way and contact the local authorities immediately

Depends on whether it is discipline or abuse. I have no problem with a parent spanking their child when appropriate. Other people consider this abuse or assault. I don't, I find that most of these people don't have kids either. My niece and her husband for example, had a child after many years of trying and vowed to raise him by reasoning with him and not spanking under any circumstances. They took it to the point that even one time when he was going to help me by taking a screwdriver to my freshly painted truck and I told him no, he didn't like it and his mom told me that they didn't use the word no because he didn't like it, instead they said la la. I told her that I don't like no either but that's life and he better get used to it before he starts school. He is seven now and after 3 or 4 years of complete chaos by means of pretty much letting him run the household with tantrums and acting out etc. They have thankfully come to their senses and don't hesitate to grab the little shit by the back of the neck and give him a needed swat on the backside when necessary. Lo and behold, his behavior has improved tremendously and we can stand to be around him now. I have a 17 yr old son and I think I only swatted him a couple of times, it's not the actual swat, it is the threat of the swat that has been most effective. Probably the best move I ever made raising him was to swat his ass in the grocery store because he decided to throw a tantrum. He got a swat and we left, all the way home I let him know that his behavior would not be tolerated period. Especially in public, kids need to be taught what is acceptable behavior and what isn't. He never did it again, ever. One time was all it took. I don't care what you call it, abuse, assault, good parenting, whatever. I will not have my child running the household, and if you let them get away with it, that is exactly what they are doing. We need to take responsibility for our kids and quit letting the government tell us where our parental duties start and end. I determine where they start and end. He is my kid and it is my responsibility to raise him, not yours and not the governments.

Nothing. I don't like children. Have someone else rescue them.