You are angry because nobody is being sympathetic to your situation. You say that you understand "no belts". However, its not really the belt that is the problem. The problem is any form of physical punishment that actually leaves a bruise or mark on a child. A physical punishment that leave bruises or marks on children is not punishment, its child abuse. Therefore, simply saying "no belts" does not solve the potential problem. You and your husband are not demonstrating that you understand what the actual problem is...you are blaming it on the belt, when in reality, its how your husband used the belt and the fact that he used the belt on a 4 year old child. Its your judgment that is in question here. His judgment for deciding to punish a child with an object that he should have known would injure the child, and your judgment for allowing him to do so.
Your best case scenario, in my opinion, is that your child gets to come home but you are ordered not to use physical punishments at all.
Your worse case scenario is that dad is awarded sole custody and you get visits on a supervised basis as long as you are married to your husband.
The most likely scenario is that dad gets primary custody, you get visitation, but either your husband is not allowed to be present during those visits or he is not allowed to be alone with the child during those visits...unless you can convince the judge that it was all a mistake that will never occur again, and just saying "no belts" will not convince a judge that you truly understand what the problem is.
I suggest that the two of you voluntarily take a parenting class...and perhaps a class on child abuse if something like that is offered anywhere in your area. It also wouldn't hurt for your husband to take a voluntary anger management class. Doing things like that is a way to help convince a judge that you truly understand what the real problem is.

