SCOTTSBURG — A 39-year-old southern Indiana man is facing multiple felony battery charges after authorities say he bit and struck several children during his child’s birthday party at a local park.
Thomas Russell was arrested on Saturday and formally charged with three counts of battery of a minor under 14 years old, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies launched an investigation after a woman reported discovering a large bite mark on her 9-year-old son’s back. While investigators were attempting to interview the child, authorities learned that the father of a 10-year-old boy was en route to Delaney Creek Park to confront Russell over a separate bite mark found on his son.
Officers intercepted the father at the park, where the 10-year-old reported that Russell had bitten him on the wrist. According to an arrest citation, both boys told police they had fallen while holding the basketball at different points during a game, and Russell allegedly bit each of them when they refused to let go of the ball.
Multiple other children in attendance corroborated the accounts, telling officers they witnessed the incidents and heard Russell tell the group during the basketball game that “biting is allowed.”
A third victim, another 9-year-old boy, told investigators that he and Russell began to “leg wrestle” inside a cabin Russell had rented at the park for the celebration. During the wrestling, Russell allegedly punched the boy in the groin, according to the citation. Other children at the gathering also reported seeing the punch.
When questioned by deputies at the cabin, Russell confirmed he was hosting his child’s birthday party and admitted to playing basketball with the children earlier in the day, though he denied biting anyone.
Russell appeared in court on Tuesday, where Judge Larry Medlock set his bond at $30,000 cash. He is scheduled to return to court on December 10 at 9:00 a.m., with a jury trial currently slated to begin in March 2027.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
