Should the father in this case have been charged with any crime?

[dead0man]

It doesn't matter if he was charged or not, no jury would convict him (and prosecutors know this and probably wouldn't even try).  And that's fine by me.  The pedo might could try a civil suit....but after abusing a child for 3 years I doubt that would have legs either.

[dead0man]

Yes - rendering the perpetrator unconscious sounds as though it was unnecessary to end to the violation of the son. A couple strikes I can understand as an initial defensive measure but if molester surrenders or flees there is no longer any justification to press the attack.

While I would be cool with letting the guy stealing the stereo out of my car flee once confronted, not the ass clown that was doing what this guy was doing.  I don't know if I shoot him in the back (probably), but I'd certainly restrain him, with extreme violence if necessary, until the cops get there.