Dad accused of biting children who wouldn’t give him basketball

Detailed summary

Thomas Russell is accused of biting children during a basketball game at his own child’s birthday party (Pictures: Jam Press) A dad has been accused of biting kids at his own…

Thomas Russell, 39, allegedly told youngsters that ‘biting is allowed’ before sinking his teeth into two of them during a dispute over the ball.

He’s also accused of punching a nine-year-old boy in the groin during a spot of wrestling, suggesting that the party’s sporting activities all got rather out of hand.

Russell had organised the birthday celebration at Delaney Creek Park in Washington County, Indiana, on November 7, renting a cabin and inviting several children along.

But the gathering ended with police investigating allegations of violence against three youngsters. Russell is now facing three counts of battery resulting in injury to a person under the age of 14.

According to an arrest citation, Russell joined the children playing basketball and reportedly declared that biting was permitted.

Two youngsters told investigators he subsequently bit them after they refused to hand over the ball. Russell may have fancied himself as Michael Jordan, but the alleged tactics were seemingly more Michael Jaw-dan.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after a mother said she discovered a large bite mark on her nine-year-old son’s back and reported it to police.

Deputies also spoke to another parent whose 10-year-old son had allegedly been bitten. The boy told officers Russell had bitten him on the wrist during the basketball game.

A third child, aged nine, claimed Russell punched him in the groin while the pair were ‘leg wrestling’ inside the rented cabin.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Metro. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.