Fort Hood Soldier Charged After Toddler Beaten Over Schoolwork, Affidavit Says

A chilling story has emerged, according to KWTX, involving a Fort Hood soldier who has been charged with brutally beating a three-year-old child in Waco, Texas. Paul Thames is the man charged with injury to a child, and he is currently being held in the McLennan County Jail on a federal detainer.

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What Happended When Officers Came To The Scenc Of The Crime?

No child should ever be subjected to abusive forms of discipline under any circumstances. In this case, the arrest warrant states that the alleged beating occurred because the three-year-old child did not want to work on his ABCs. According to police and Child Protective Services in Waco, the incident happened at the Legend Apartments, located at 2400 Corporation Parkway. When officers arrived at the scene, they obtained Ring doorbell camera footage that allegedly shows Thames picking up the small child by the neck and violently striking him, according to the warrant.

Is Paul Thames Sorry For His Actions?

Police stated that the toddler did not want to work on his ABCs, and because of that, the soldier allegedly felt it was necessary to take the child outside the apartment to discipline him. The warrant also states that the child’s mother was inside the apartment while the abuse occurred. According to the warrant, Thames picked the child up by the back of his neck and placed his hands over the victim’s mouth, asking the child if he was “going to stop playing.” Authorities say Thames later admitted that he went “overboard,” acknowledged that his actions were wrong, and apologized to the child.

What Did The US Army Say About The Crime?

Police confirmed that the three-year-old was taken to a hospital in Waco due to pain in his neck. He was examined by medical personnel and later released.
The 1st Cavalry Division issued a statement saying, “We are aware of the arrest of Sergeant Paul Thames for abuse of a child. The 1st Cavalry Division is in communication with law enforcement. We are disgusted by the video that has been posted.” The statement went on to say that Sergeant Thames's behavior does not reflect the values of the 1st Cavalry Division or the U.S. Army.