A 29-year-old man, Timothoes Powell, is facing charges of child abuse after a disturbing incident involving a toddler under his care.
Powell was watching the child while the mother was at work and the grandparents were taking a nap.
According to an incident report obtained by Fox 35, Powell called the toddler's mother around 7 p.m. and informed her that the child was bleeding from his genital area due to glass entering his diaper. He claimed to have tried to wipe off the glass, inadvertently breaking the skin in the process.
The child was immediately taken to the hospital, where medical staff glued the skin back together. However, due to concerns of possible abuse, the incident was reported to the police. Authorities were alarmed by the nature of the injuries and suspected foul play.
Surveillance cameras inside the home captured footage of Powell changing the child's diaper and then walking away with an unidentified object in his hand. During this time, the baby can be seen screaming and crying until Powell returns to put the diaper back on. Another video showed Powell appearing frustrated as he manipulated the diaper. Additional footage from earlier in the day allegedly depicted Powell yelling at the toddler, squirting him with a water bottle, and even threatening to put soap in his mouth if he didn't quiet down.
When questioned by the police, Powell admitted to pulling the child's penis downward with excessive force and wiping him vigorously. However, he claimed that he had not intentionally cut the child. A nurse from the Child Protection Team (CPT) disagreed with Powell's explanation, stating that the injuries were inconsistent with his claims. The nurse believed that the cut appeared deliberate and resembled a circumcision attempt.
Currently, Powell is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail on a $100,000 bond. The investigation into this disturbing incident is ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the child involved.
Login