WACO, TX - A 29-year-old man was arrested in Waco after authorities say the suspect was caught on a Ring doorbell camera striking a 3-year-old boy several times with a closed fist.
On January 16, police in Waco responded to the Legend Apartments complex located off 2400 Corporation Parkway at approximately 5:20 p.m. in response to an incident involving a beaten toddler that was reportedly captured on a Ring doorbell camera.
Authorities say 29-year-old Paul Thames was caught on camera hoisting up a 3-year-old boy and striking him at least five times in the torso with a closed fist. The apparent force used by the individual in the video generated understandable outrage online when it was shared on social media, as the strikes caused the young boy to scream in agony.
The individual seen in the video then asks the child, “Are you going to stop playing?” while holding the toddler by his face and neck before proceeding to walk away with the child. Neither local reports nor officials have clarified the relationship between Thames and the child depicted in the video.
Upon the arrival of authorities, Thames reportedly surrendered to police and was subsequently booked into the McLennan County Jail on a felony charge of injury to a child. Officials say the young victim was transported to an area hospital for evaluation before being released.
Based upon the charge, a third-degree felony, Thames could face anywhere between two and ten years in prison if convicted. Bail for the suspect has been set at $200,000. A future court appearance for the suspect has not been announced by officials as of this writing.
On January 16, police in Waco responded to the Legend Apartments complex located off 2400 Corporation Parkway at approximately 5:20 p.m. in response to an incident involving a beaten toddler that was reportedly captured on a Ring doorbell camera.
Authorities say 29-year-old Paul Thames was caught on camera hoisting up a 3-year-old boy and striking him at least five times in the torso with a closed fist. The apparent force used by the individual in the video generated understandable outrage online when it was shared on social media, as the strikes caused the young boy to scream in agony.
The individual seen in the video then asks the child, “Are you going to stop playing?” while holding the toddler by his face and neck before proceeding to walk away with the child. Neither local reports nor officials have clarified the relationship between Thames and the child depicted in the video.
Upon the arrival of authorities, Thames reportedly surrendered to police and was subsequently booked into the McLennan County Jail on a felony charge of injury to a child. Officials say the young victim was transported to an area hospital for evaluation before being released.
Based upon the charge, a third-degree felony, Thames could face anywhere between two and ten years in prison if convicted. Bail for the suspect has been set at $200,000. A future court appearance for the suspect has not been announced by officials as of this writing.
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