why do you think cole's mother did not tell the circle how his father would beat up on him?

I think that initial, Cole's mother is scared. At the first meeting Cole's father was there. She would still have to live with his wrath. Mother medicated herself with alcohol to numb the pain. By the second meeting mother, like Coal, was finding herself and courage. She had charged Cole's father with child abuse.

she is just mentally retarded

cause she is shy and scared