BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested on a warrant after police say he injured an autistic child.
Russel Harting, 48, Bedford, was arrested on a charge of battery on a person less than 14 years old.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Detective James Slone said a five-year-old child had multiple bruises in various stages of healing on his chest, ribs, shoulders, elbows, legs, back, and hips.
A witness told police they saw Russel Harting, who was mean, throwing the child around.
The incident happened at Maple Ridge Apartments. Harting is the boyfriend of the child’s babysitter.
“He came into the room and picked the victim up by his wrists. He took hold of the victim’s feet, and pushed them into his chest. He was asked to stop but he wouldn’t. He would grab the victim by his wrists and shove him onto the couch, attempting to get him to go to sleep and say go to bed stupid, go to bed, idiot.”
“The accused grabbed the victim by his ankles, leaned him up, and pushed all his weight onto the victim’s chest. The victim was lying flat on the ground. After the accused left the room, the victim began to cry.”
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office and a warrant was issued for Harting’s arrest,
