'Are you going to stop playing?': Army sergeant captured on Ring video repeatedly punching 3-year-old in the chest, police say
Share this @internewscast.com

Background: The Legend Apartments in Waco, Texas (Google Maps). Inset left: Paul Thames (McLennan County Sheriff’s Office/KWTX). Inset right: Ring footage of Thames appearing to assault a child (Waco Police Dept./KWTX) .

A Texas man, identified as a U.S. Army sergeant, was caught on home security video viciously assaulting a toddler, according to law enforcement officials.

Paul Thames, aged 29, is currently incarcerated facing charges of injuring a child, classified as a third-degree felony, as per McLennan County Jail records. The incident, which was apparently recorded by a Ring camera, quickly gained traction on social media platforms.

“The Waco Police Department is aware of a widely shared video showing a dreadful attack on a 3-year-old boy by an adult male that took place this afternoon,” stated the department in an official release.

Officers from the Waco police responded to a call at The Legend Apartments on Corporation Parkway on Friday after a witness reported the assault.

“Authorities obtained video doorbell footage depicting the suspect aggressively striking the young child,” the police statement detailed, noting that the boy was subsequently transported by ambulance to a local hospital for a medical evaluation.

The footage allegedly captured Thames lifting the boy and delivering at least five punches to his torso with a closed hand.

“Are you going to stop playing?” Thames is reportedly heard saying, according to local CBS affiliate KWTX. The child was reportedly crying as Thames pulled him up by his face before walking away with him.

Although the relationship between Thames and the child was not immediately available, police said that “[t]he suspect and victim know each other.”

The child victim has been released from the hospital, Waco police added.

An Army spokesperson confirmed to KWTX that Thames is a sergeant stationed at Fort Hood, which is located around 65 miles southwest of Waco.

“We are aware of the arrest of Sgt. Paul Thames for abuse of a child,” the spokesperson told the station. “The 1st Cavalry Division is in communication with law enforcement. We are disgusted by the video that has been posted. The behavior of Sgt. Thames does not reflect the values of the 1st Cavalry Division or the U.S. Army.”

Jail records show that Thames is being held on a $200,000 surety bond.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Shocking Home Invasion: Kidnapping Uncovered by Disturbing Blood Trail

Two men have been seriously injured in a terrifying home invasion and…

Police Investigate Incident Involving Teacher and Nonverbal 9-Year-Old Student

Background: Selmer Elementary School in Selmer, Tennessee (Google Maps). Inset: Meg Day…

Father Involved in Shooting Incident at School Pickup

Left inset: Noureddine Dib (KGW). Right inset: Michael Zakarneh (GoFundMe). Background: Surveillance…

Teen’s Killer Spared Additional Sentence Despite Prison Assault Incident

A judge recently expressed frustration over his limited ability to impose a…

Brave Teen Intervenes to Protect Family: Mother and Daughter Stabbed in Shocking Incident, Police Report

Background: The Thunder Over Louisville show on April 18, 2026 (WLKY/YouTube). Inset…

Newberry Man Faces Additional Charge After Detective Links March-Seized Pistol to Stolen Gun Report

By Staff NEWBERRY, Fla. – A 23-year-old man, Kobe Deon Delima, faces…

Teens Arrested Following Machete Incident on Melbourne’s Popular Dining Strip

Three teenagers have been charged over an alleged machete attack that unfolded…

Father Charged After Disturbing Threat Against Infant Sparks Concern

Inset: Marcellaus N. Malone (Clermont County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Clermont County…

Shocking Verdict: Son Receives Sentence for Gruesome Matricide During Home Invasion

Inset: John Aylor. Background: Body cam footage from Aylor”s arrest after he…

Shocking Incident: Gainesville Man Arrested After Threatening Tree Service Worker with Firearm

In Gainesville, Florida, a troubling incident from 2024 has resurfaced with the…

Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito Clash in Uncommon Opinion Exchange

U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito, Jr., Clarence Thomas and Brett…

Shocking Lawsuit Alleges Human Finger Found in Trader Joe’s Orange Juice

The Trader Joe’s in Portland, Ore., where Julee O’Neil says she purchased…