Earlier this month, a US Army sergeant found himself in custody following a shocking incident captured on a doorbell camera, where he was seen assaulting a 3-year-old boy.
According to a report by KWTX, 29-year-old Paul Thames faces charges related to child injury after the disturbing video went viral on social media platforms.
The footage, recorded by a neighbor’s doorbell camera, depicts Thames lifting the toddler by his neck and aggressively striking his back, the arrest warrant reveals. Thames allegedly delivered multiple forceful punches to the child’s back and was seen gripping the boy’s neck while covering his mouth.
In the video, as the child cries out, Thames can be heard demanding, “Are you going to stop playing?”
Waco Police detained Thames for questioning, where he confessed to hitting the boy because the child was reluctant to practice his ABCs. He explained that he took the toddler outside for “discipline” while the boy’s mother was busy inside the apartment, admitting he did not inform her about the incident.
The arrest warrant notes that Thames acknowledged his actions were excessive, understood they were wrong, and expressed regret to the toddler for his behavior.
“The only reason this offense was known to have occurred was based on the video provided,” the warrant says.
The toddler was treated and released at a Waco hospital for pain in his neck.
The victim was treated at a Waco hospital due to pain on his neck, according to the warrant. Police say he was seen by medical personnel and released.
The 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army said that Thames is stationed at Fort Hood, formerly Fort Cavazos.
“We are aware of the arrest of Sgt. Paul Thames for abuse of a child,” a division spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “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.”
