A man from Indiana is facing criminal charges after allegedly biting multiple children during a basketball game at his own child’s birthday party, reportedly because the children refused to relinquish the ball to him.
Thomas Russell, 39, has been charged with three counts of battery with injury to a person under the age of 14, according to Washington Circuit Court records reviewed by Law&Crime. He is currently being held in custody on a $30,000 full cash bond.
On Saturday, Russell was hosting a birthday celebration for his child at Delaney Creek Park in Washington County, located in southern Indiana. He had reserved a cabin for the occasion, and several children were present at the party.
According to an arrest citation obtained by regional ABC affiliate WHAS, the partygoers were engaged in a basketball game when Russell reportedly informed the children that “biting is allowed.” He then allegedly bit two of the children while the game was in progress.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after a woman discovered a large bite mark on the back of her 9-year-old son. When authorities arrived to speak with the child, they reportedly encountered another parent , a father , who stated that his 10-year-old son had also been bitten. The boy identified Russell as the individual who had bitten him on the wrist, according to court documents.
Additionally, another 9-year-old boy reported that while at the park, he and Russell had begun to “leg wrestle” inside the cabin, at which point Russell allegedly struck the child in the groin. Russell reportedly acknowledged to law enforcement that he had participated in the basketball game, but denied biting any of the children.
Despite his denial, multiple children present at the party stated that they had witnessed Russell’s alleged acts of violence.
Deputies subsequently arrested Russell and transported him to jail. He appeared for an initial hearing on Tuesday and is scheduled to return to court on December 10.
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