Indiana dad allegedly tells kids at birthday party ‘biting is allowed’ during basketball, now accused of biting two kids, punching one in groin

An Indiana father is accused of biting two children and punching another in the groin during his own child’s birthday party at a local park,, after he allegedly told the kids that “biting is allowed” during a basketball game. Thomas Russell, 39, faces three counts of battery resulting in injury to a person under 14 years of age, according to court documents reported by Law&Crime.

Russell is being held in jail on a $30,000 full cash bond. He attended an initial hearing in the case on Tuesday and is scheduled to return to court on December 10.

Russell reportedly told law enforcement that he had been playing basketball with the children, but he denied biting any of them. Despite his denial, multiple children at the party said they witnessed the alleged violence.

Several kids told deputies what happened

The party took place on a Saturday at Delaney Creek Park in Washington County, Indiana, where Russell had rented a cabin for the event. Several children attended, and the group played a basketball game during the party. Authorities allege that Russell told the kids during the game that “biting is allowed.”

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office started investigating after a woman reported finding a large bite mark on the back of her 9-year-old son. While speaking with that child, deputies reportedly met another father who said his 10-year-old son had also been bitten. That boy told authorities that Russell bit him on the wrist.

Another 9-year-old boy reported a different encounter with Russell at the cabin. The boy said he and Russell were leg wrestling when Russell allegedly punched him in the groin.

In its simplest form, battery in Indiana is a Class B misdemeanor that involves touching someone in a rude, angry, or insulting manner. The charge becomes a Level 5 felony when the defendant is an adult and a child under 14 suffers bodily injury or physical pain, per Nolo. A Level 5 felony in the state is punishable by one to six years in prison, while lower-level felony battery charges, classed as Level 6 felonies, carry six months to two and a half years.