What offense could Mr. Hyde potentially be charged with for disciplining his son with a wire closet hanger that breaks the skin?

Mr. Hyde could potentially be charged with physical abuse for using a wire closet hanger that breaks the skin when disciplining his son. Physical abuse involves causing physical harm or injury to a child, and using an object like a wire hanger that results in breaking the skin clearly demonstrates an act that can be categorized as abusive behavior. This charge reflects the severity of the action as it inflicted actual physical injury on the child.

The other options do not accurately capture the nature of the offense as well as physical abuse does. Child endangerment typically involves a wider scope of neglect or placing a child in a situation that could cause them harm, but the action in question directly relates to inflicting harm. Assault may imply causing harm to someone, but in the context of parental discipline and the particular injury described, physical abuse is specifically appropriate. Tampering with physical evidence does not fit, as this charge would involve altering or concealing evidence of a crime, which is not relevant in the context of this disciplinary action. Thus, physical abuse stands out as the most fitting charge for Mr. Hyde's actions.