BLOOMINGTON — An 18-year-old Indiana father faces felony battery charges after allegedly biting his 9-day-old infant when she would not stop crying, leaving the newborn bruised and looking like a “busted up egg,” according to court documents obtained from Monroe County.
Kaden Manuel Lewis Shrum was arrested and charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a person under 14 years old, a Level 5 felony.
The Bloomington Police Department launched an investigation on July 15 after a local pediatrician notified the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) of a suspicious injury on the newborn’s face.
According to a probable cause affidavit, medical staff observed a prominent ring-like bruise spanning the infant’s entire left cheek, featuring circular patterns consistent with human teeth marks.
When initially questioned by investigators, Shrum claimed the marks might have occurred because his daughter slept on her pacifier. He added that he and the baby’s mother planned to have the mark evaluated during a scheduled weigh-in the following day. However, police and medical professionals noted in the affidavit that it was “highly improbable” for a pacifier to cause that specific pattern or level of tissue injury.
During subsequent interviews with police, DCS social workers, and family members, Shrum admitted to biting the child out of frustration when she was fussing and refused to sleep.
According to court filings, Shrum demonstrated to officers how he took the skin of the infant’s cheek into his mouth and repeatedly bit down in a chomping motion.
Shrum stated he routinely “nibbled” on the baby and did not intend to cause harm, but admitted to biting down too hard after catching too much skin. Describing her fragile state, Shrum told police, “She’s so small and delicate. She’s like a busted-up egg.”
Following the investigation, Shrum was booked into the Monroe County Jail. He is being held without bond.
Shrum entered a plea of not guilty during his initial hearing. Under Indiana law, a Level 5 felony conviction carries an advisory sentence of one to six years in prison and fines up to $10,000. A bail review hearing is scheduled for August 18 at 11:14 a.m.
The court sets a Pretrial Conference on September 1 at 11:15 a.m. A jury trial is set on January 11, 2027, at 8:30 a.m. A public defender was appointed to represent Shrum.
