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Army Sergeant Charged After Beating 3-Year-Old Boy

1/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Sgt. Paul Thames, an active-duty Army sergeant at Fort Hood, Texas, was charged with third-degree felony injury to a child.
The Ring doorbell video shows Thames beating a 3-year-old boy multiple times at an apartment complex in Waco.
Police responded around 5:20 p.m. Friday.
The child was taken to a hospital and has since been released.
Thames' bond is set at $200,000, and he is held on a federal detainer.

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Story summary

Sgt. Paul Thames, an active-duty Army sergeant at Fort Hood, Texas, was charged with third-degree felony injury to a child.
The Ring doorbell video shows Thames beating a 3-year-old boy multiple times at an apartment complex in Waco.
Police responded around 5:20 p.m. Friday.
The child was taken to a hospital and has since been released.
Thames' bond is set at $200,000, and he is held on a federal detainer.