A Warsaw man was arrested for reportedly battering a 2-year-old.
Warsaw Police Department arrested Devan Bounds, 23, Warsaw, on charges of battery to a person less than 14 years of age by a person at least 18 years of age, a level 5 felony; battery causing moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony; and obstruction of justice, a level 6 felony.
Bounds was arrested this morning and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on a $35,000 bond. Additional charges may be filed against him, according to a WPD press release.
Detectives were investigating a child abuse and battery case involving a 2-year-old victim that had been struck multiple times with a belt causing moderate injuries.
The investigation found that on Aug. 8, Bounds was watching his girlfriend’s children while she was at work. During that time, the victim wet her pants and Bounds allegedly became angry and struck the toddler with a belt several times. The beating caused multiple welts and several lacerations to the back and buttocks of the girl.
At a later time, the victim’s aunt was watching the girl and observed the lacerations. The aunt contacted authorities about the injuries.
During the course of the investigation, the victim’s mother (Bounds’ girlfriend) first admitted to being the one who disciplined the victim with a belt, but later recanted her story and advised that Bounds was responsible for the injuries. She stated she was intimidated and scared of Bounds. She told police Bounds has allegedly been physical with her in the past and she was covering for him. She further stated that Bounds made her delete text messages off of her cell phone after he found out the police were involved and investigating him.
The Indiana Division of Child Services assisted the WPD with the investigation.
