An Indiana teenager was arrested after he allegedly severely injured a 9-day-old infant and repeatedly bit the newborn’s face, after which he said the baby looked like a “busted up egg.”
Kaden Manuel Lewis Shrum was charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a person younger than 14 on Wednesday, July 29.
It is not currently clear how Shrum, 18, is related to the victim.
The investigation into Shrum began on July 15 when officers with the Bloomington Police Department and officials with the Indiana Department of Child Services received a child abuse report, according to WXIN. A pediatrician contacted authorities to report that a 9-day-old baby had suffered extensive bruising on their face, which covered their entire left cheek.
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The infant was then taken to a hospital for additional treatment, where medical personnel determined that their injuries appeared to be bite marks.
Shrum allegedly admitted to relatives and investigators that he was responsible for the injuries while they were at the hospital, according to the probable cause affidavit obtained by the outlet.
While speaking to officers with the Bloomington Police Department, Shrum allegedly said that the child started crying around 4 a.m. when he was watching them.
Shrum claimed he started “nibbling” on the baby’s cheek in an attempt to calm them down. However, things escalated when he then placed the child’s cheek inside of his mouth and repeatedly bit down. Investigators noted in the affidavit that he made a “chomping motion” while demonstrating the action.
The defendant then allegedly told authorities that the baby’s face looked like a “busted up egg” after he was done biting them.
After speaking with Shrum, authorities concluded that the bruising on the infant’s face matched his description of what he claimed happened. He was then arrested on the felony child battery charge.
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In addition to the child abuse, Shrum is also facing separate felony charges of battery by means of a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness in another case and a misdemeanor battery charge in an unrelated matter, according to WBIW. All of the charges he’s facing are currently pending.
Shrum was taken into custody at Monroe County Jail and has since been released after he posted a $5,000 bond. A jury trial regarding the child abuse charge is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2027.
It’s not currently clear if Shrum has entered a plea or retained legal counsel in regards to any of his charges. The Bloomington Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
