Police: Man caused severe injuries to boy, 3

JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) - A Seymour man is accused of battering and seriously injuring a 3-year-old boy who was in his care.

John Strong, 28, was arrested at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging battery on a child younger than 14 causing serious bodily injury and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, both Class B felonies.

The boy suffered severe internal injuries, which required treatment at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, according to Indiana State Police.

He has been released from the hospital and is recovering from his injuries, police said.

ISP Detective Jan Graves began the investigation May 16 after the Jackson County Division of Family and Children Services received a report that the boy was being treated at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

The boy was later transferred to Riley.

The investigation revealed the child was left in Strong’s care and was battered, which resulted in severe internal injuries, police said.

ISP did not release details of how Strong allegedly injured the boy.

Graves turned his findings over to the Jackson County prosecutor’s office for review, and a warrant was issued out of Jackson Circuit Court for Strong’s arrest.

Strong was being held Tuesday in lieu of $50,000 bond at Jackson County Jail.

Graves stated in a news release that the assistance of Lauren Brooks of the Jackson County Division of Family and Children was invaluable in the case.

ISP Detective Roger Drew and Jackson County Deputy Andy Wyman also assisted.

Thanks to The Columbus Republic for this story.