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Feb-05-2007 17:35printcomments

Oregon Man Charged With Using Stun-Gun on Infant Son Faces Judge

Prosecutors say they are looking into why the boy's mother, Jennifer Whittman, didn’t call police sooner.

Salem-News.com
Stun gun that police say was used on an 18-month boy
Photo: Albany Police

(ALBANY) - The man who allegedly used a 100,000 volt stun-gun device on his 18-month-old son faced a Linn County Judge late Monday afternoon.

23-year old Rian James Whittman is accused of repeatedly attacking the child with the device over a 3-week period on his arms, stomach, back, and legs.

Albany police Capt. Eric Carter says Kyle Whittman, was attacked as many as ten times.

He was taken to Samaritan Albany General Hospital where he was examined and treated for burns and blisters and was later released.

The boy's 21-year-old mother Jennifer Whittman called police Saturday afternoon to report the incident.

Prosecutors say they are looking into why Jennifer didn’t call police sooner about the alleged abuse.

Kyle is now in the custody of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Carter says the device isn't a Taser-brand weapon but is designed to be applied directly to the skin.

Whittman, who works as a truck driver, has no prior criminal history, and prosecutors don’t have a motive for the abuse.

The couple's neighbors and police are in shock and outraged over the incident.

Whittman remains in the Linn County Jail on three counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a Measure 11 offense.

Prosecutors have dropped the Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree charge.

More charges may be filed in the case.

Whittman’s bail is set at $100,000, and he is due back in court on Feb. 26th.

If convicted on all of the charges, Whittman faces over 17-years in prison.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Albany Police Department at (541) 917-7680.




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jody September 30, 2008 1:18 pm (Pacific time)

hi this makes me sick this man should get life never to get out what is wrong with the people he needs to stay in jail. 17 years i would not give him nothing but life never to see the light of day ever!!


Shay January 29, 2008 9:40 pm (Pacific time)

It's so very sad that children in America have to go through the abuse when our government is spending so much money on a pointless war. They should be using that money to protect our children. It's very sad how child abuse is becoming more common everyday. Yes i'm a parent and get frustrated with my child but i would never harm him. I think our government should be spending more money on the Child Protective Services, hiring more case managers, ect due to the fact case managers have so many cases it's hard for them to investigate every allegation. Both parents in this case should be tried and convicted for the trauma and abuse this innocent child has gone through. These poor babies are being put through hell and can't stand up nor defend themselves.. they need decent adults to do that for them.


NO MERCEY P MEYER October 4, 2007 6:41 am (Pacific time)

WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR WORLD THAT WE KEEP GIVING THESE BABIES AND CHILDREN BACK TO THESE CRAZY PEOPLE. I HAVE NO SAD OR FELLING SORRY FOR THESE PEOPLE IN MY HEART AND THEY DON'T DESERVE TO GET THEM BACK. I COULD GO ON AND ON BUT WHEN I HEAR OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS I JUST WANT THEM TO DO SAME TO THAT PERSON OVER AND OVER AGAIN..............


Save Kyle May 14, 2007 7:43 pm (Pacific time)

Kevin- Please follow up on this story. What happened to this guy.. Last I heard his trial was delayed and delayed. I hate this story was flashed on the screens for headlines flashed all over the AP wires and then the "journalist" never followed up. Kevin be the guy to follow up and keep the system in check- Giving this little boy a chance.


rebel lady April 20, 2007 12:25 am (Pacific time)

they both should be tazed with the same stun gun,for 3 weeks not stop.omg that poor lil baby,bless its heart


GLYNES March 10, 2007 6:35 pm (Pacific time)

I THINK THEY BOTH SHOULD GO TO JAIL.SHE FOR NOT PROTECTING HER OWN CHILD AND HIM FOR DOING IT.BUT THE ONE THING THAT GETS ME IS THAT OREGON HAS TWO SETS OF LAWSTHEY WILL GIVE ONE WOMAN BACK HER CHILD THAT HAS BEEN ABUSE BADLY AND TAKE ANOTHER WOMANS CHILD AWAY FOR HAVING HER FRIENDS IN HER HOME THAT WAS ON DRUGS.AND BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T ASK FOR AND ID FROM THEM THEN SHE IS BAD.CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY OF YOU ASK YOUR FRIENDS FOR THIER ID.TWO SETS OF LAWS


Albert Marnell February 12, 2007 3:39 am (Pacific time)

Dear Jacquelin, I have always said that parents do not have rights, only responsibilities.


Jacquelin February 8, 2007 12:21 am (Pacific time)

I am a Social Worker for one of the busiest child abuse units in a large city. This story does not shock me because I have seen so much after working on over 200 cases. The law regarding Parents is meant to be easy. Just today I learned that a woman with 29 child abuse complaints against her including severe physical and neglect abuse, rape and sexual abuse, and all 3 of her children in foster care - one in a state mental hospital - will get to keep her new baby. It was explained to me that "a parent cannot be held forever guilty" because of their past. This will be one more baby that all of the taxpayers will end paying for and will end up seriously injured like the rest of her other children. This is not unusual by the way, this is most of the child abuse cases in this country. The majority of people do not believe in child abuse. They believe in the rights of the Parents. The Parents in this article will have this child returned to their care. Not do I "think" this will happen. I know from first hand experience. The majority of the public is uninformed because child abuse cases are confidential. If only the taxpayers knew maybe the laws would be changed.


Young mom February 7, 2007 6:19 pm (Pacific time)

Trippin'


Mari February 7, 2007 4:57 pm (Pacific time)

On sterilization, I don't believe the government should have this kind of right over people, that's a hard set belief of mine, but at the same time, the thought of someone having child after child and abusing them is abhorrent to me. That said, if abusive people were sterilized, I wouldn't be here right now ... and neither would my husband. I'm not a model of emotional stability, I suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, but I have a good solid marriage, two happy , well adjusted sons, and a baby on the way. Not all abused children grow up to be abusers or losers. Who knows what great talent you could be depriving the world of because the person who would have bore them was screwed up. I hope the little boy doesn't suffer any long term damage from what was done to him. As to his father ... well, I too believe that his time in prison will be a miserable one.


Da Man February 7, 2007 12:31 pm (Pacific time)

2 words....Prison Justice....once that so called "man"'s crime is revealed to his prison pals, he will soon become a prison b*tch


Anntelope February 7, 2007 10:50 am (Pacific time)

hey you guys, nice little forum you have here. I'd like to invite you to visit the wall of living graffiti which is another forum similar to this. You can find us at eastvillagepoetry.com which comes to you from the lower east side of new york city.


mrd00d February 7, 2007 10:47 am (Pacific time)

I just read this story from a thread in the winamp message boards, under 'breaking news'. This is unreal. I hope people learn that child abuse is not something even prisoners take lightly. I say we release the guy into general population. Problem solved. The inmates will kick this guys ass within an inch of his life for using a stun gun on an 18 month old child. I often follow stories in the news and then devote the front page of my site to the story. http://www.d00db0x.com or http://www.doodbox.com or http://www.d00dbox.com


mother of two February 7, 2007 10:40 am (Pacific time)

i cried while reading this....i hope that rian whittman burns in hell for this, though i shoud never hope anything negative towards anyone. he'll get his when he's in jail and i hope that it will make it to where when he does leave prison he won't be breathing.


Gretta February 7, 2007 1:14 am (Pacific time)

If this were my child, they would have had me in jail after the first assault.


Casey Smiley February 7, 2007 12:58 am (Pacific time)

In our society people will mis-use anything given to them. This guy took a taser gun and stunnend an 18 month old child with it. How sick is that. How do you think he would feel i that child was in his shoes and tok the same action. I feel terrible for the child because the child is not of age and cant speak for himself. How could you nearly take the life of a child that hasnt even began to see what its like to live, your own child at that. I wish evil on no one, but honestly; may your soul rest in HELL. This child may only be 18 months, but do you think that this story wont linger in the streets, can you even begin to imagine how people are gonna look at this kid and point fingers saying "thats the kid right there whos daddy is in jail or tasering him",you cant even begin to imagine how this child may turn out. My prayers are with this child. God bless you lad and may you grow up to be one of Gods most beautiful creations.


Concerned Young Lady February 6, 2007 11:31 pm (Pacific time)

Well, while sterilization may be a good way to stop child abusers from having more kids, bring down the abuse rate drastically, I'm also afraid for the guys and gals falsely accused of abuse. Take this for example: A guy is in a relationship with a girl and they have a kid. The girl want to get out of the relationship/wants the kid all to herself. She gets angry, hurts the kid and blames the guy with child abuse, the guy will be sterilized and she'll go on with her child, still abusing him/her. It would happen this way because it's almost always men who are investigated for child abuse, seeing as they are "the more aggressive sex" or some political bullcrap. Then she does it to other guys and authorities get suspscious and the guy who was originally sterilized will be shown to be the victim as well as the child. This guy won't be able to have any more kids because of a screwed up justice system. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't think that sterilization is a bad idea, I just think we need to be absolutely certain that this is the abuser, and not the other parent.


Mo February 6, 2007 10:10 pm (Pacific time)

Gotta disagree with you Jason, Sterilization should come immediatly. You see I know a child abuser, and once she did what the state asked her to do, and she was free to roam about she had another one. And guess what??? Yeah Ill let you think about it. Both these parents should be facing jail. Hope we get an update on this S.O.B. when he gets to prison.


Parson Jim February 6, 2007 9:35 pm (Pacific time)

The mother is not going to go to jail or get punished. Women are usually given free license to abuse or neglect their children. Since women are only victims, they can never be found guilty of crimes against children. She must have been abused by the boyfriend.


urigeme February 6, 2007 7:01 pm (Pacific time)

they should do the same thing to him. what was the deal with the baby's mom why did she wait so long. she should be put in jail also


Child May Overcome February 6, 2007 6:25 pm (Pacific time)

May that dear, sweet innocent child turn out to be someone who makes a real difference in the world. May that "mother" get a hysterectomy and may the "father" endure the pain of 100,000,000 million volts while strapped to a chair. Come on judge raise the bond and keep him put away in big boy jail for, oh I don't know ever! Peace world!


lordtwig February 6, 2007 6:24 pm (Pacific time)

The same thing that happens to move child abusing scum will happen to this guy as well. See what the courts and such don't tell you is that the people who handle the in processing work in prison are other prisoners. Do you think this is done without knowledge that the inmates are going to be told that a skinner is now in jail. This guy needs to be thrown in a dark put with a bunch of revenous sodomites. I am a father and I would end someone for something like this.


Dave R Ashland, Ore. February 6, 2007 4:34 pm (Pacific time)

$100,000 for a measure 11 crime?? what is up with that?? It should be more like one million.


tina February 6, 2007 3:43 pm (Pacific time)

this story brought tears to my eyes. i have a small child and i couldnt imagine how evil a person would have to be to do something so horrible. i hope he spends the rest of his life in jail and i hope his fellow inmates teach him what hell is every day.


Jason February 6, 2007 3:30 pm (Pacific time)

Flat out amazes me that this even happens, but am more amazed that some folks will talk of sterilization as if that's the cure for all that plagues society. That won't fix the sicko from abusing anyone, only keeps him from reproducing, and since he's already got kids, suggesting sterilization is essentially putting the cart before the horse. If he's guilty he's got his just reward coming from those wonderful residents down off State Street. Corrective action and enforcement of the standard of law is what's needed. Having grown up in Salem and gone to school in Corvallis, there are strong reasons why I will never come home to live in Oregon again, not wanting to raise my children there. It's things like this that make me cringe, knowing that other members of our society can have so little regard for the safety of their own kids. And since no one has said it, preferring to focus on the accused instead of the victim, I sincerely hope that the child doesn't suffer any permanent mental scars from this since he's only 18 months old. Dad deserves a short drop w/ a hard stop, not sterilization or imprisonment. I'll wager that a claim will come from the defense during trial that he didn't think it would hurt his son. What possibly motivates anyone to do something like this?


eg February 6, 2007 3:17 pm (Pacific time)

People should be sterilized if they are tried and convicted of serious child abuse, like this, besides just losing custody of their existing children.


digger February 6, 2007 3:12 pm (Pacific time)

Digg.


flip February 6, 2007 3:04 pm (Pacific time)

Sadly if it wasn't for society this guy would have killed his own child. I bet that both he and she were abused as kids and are just carrying on the family tradition.. only with better tech. Many might say to themselves that they should all be sterilized for the public good and let this be a darwin situation.


Make Child Torture a Capital Crime February 6, 2007 2:22 pm (Pacific time)

This guy was getting off on this. Taser the SOB in a tub of water. Fortunately, when he goes to prison, he won't last two seconds. Short eyes.


Chris February 6, 2007 2:19 pm (Pacific time)

I want to be the guy that gets to have him sit a chair with his arms behind his back and just keep zapping him till he begs for mercy so he feels what the poor kid felt. Then let him go. Save taxpayer money and room in jail.


scottdnak February 6, 2007 12:41 pm (Pacific time)

Although I do believe that this child's parents, and I use that term loosely, should both be strung up, for his actions and her inactions; and I feel that some people shouldn't procreate, I still believe in their right to be able to do so. Ann's opinion that only certain Americans should be able to have children is almost as criminal as the dad in this story. Who would you allow, Ann, rich people, or famous people, or only Christians, or Jews, or only caucasians? Once you try to open the door on something like, who can and cannot have children, then you will be starting a revolution for we as Americans have fought and died to secure freedoms such as being able to have children if we so desire. Plus, if you do the research you will find that some of the greatest people in history were born to parents that by your standards would have been sterilized like a dog before they could have children. It sounds like Ann needs to pack her bags and move to China, where under the current laws, in most parts of the country when a woman has her first child, if it is a male then she is sterilized immediately, and if it is a girl then she is sterilized after her second child.


Ann February 6, 2007 10:55 am (Pacific time)

This man should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as well as teh Mother of this innocent child. I would also challenge the citizens of Albany to monitor this case to ensure there is public pressure that the child not be returned to the mother which happens so often in cases of child abuse. I would also challenge the Salem-News.com staff to monitor this case and provide updates no matter how long it take. Final comment, when will Americans wake up and realize that we will all suffer if steps are not taken to manage and oversee who is allowed to have children (these children grow up and because of abuse suffered as children become (in most case) dysfunctional adults and repeat offendors. China might be onto something in controlling who and how many children people are allowed to have children. These procreators should be sterilized. Disgusting


Ann Farrell February 6, 2007 5:56 am (Pacific time)

This creep should spayed, that way he can't hurt anymore children. I hope this child is taken away from the mother too, why did she wait so long too report it? It's amazing ppl. like this are fertile!


Mary R February 6, 2007 5:55 am (Pacific time)

Once again Salem-News.com kills the Statesman Journal. Hell, every news website in this state had this story online except the SJ. Thanks Salem-News.com, I'm cancelling my subscription. Mary Robbins


grenade in the jello February 5, 2007 10:06 pm (Pacific time)

What if he didn't do it? Don't misunderstand me as either one would be invited to let jello warm up in the hot sun if they were the perpretrators, but so far the story still not out fact wise. So let the rope stay coiled for the time being instead of convicting either of them without proof. thanks


Q Madp February 5, 2007 9:56 pm (Pacific time)

Scum like that should experience the lovely juice traveling through a special chair.


Reporter February 5, 2007 9:44 pm (Pacific time)

FYI - The Judge in this case reduced Whittman’s bail from $156,000 to 100,000.


Let The Kid Taser Him February 5, 2007 9:30 pm (Pacific time)

Anti-Creep: AMEN! At least one million dollars should be his bail. Dont they care about kids in Albany???


He should die in a fire. February 5, 2007 9:19 pm (Pacific time)

It's not a tazer. The brand "tazer" denotes a device that propels electrodes into the skin of the subject, piercing it, then releasing the charge. These devices are more often called "Stun guns" and do not laungh or otherwise fire a projectile. The are none the less harmful to a body and using one on a child should be considered an unforgivable offense. People like this need to be killed to protect children, and pets, and women and possible quite a few men.


Albert Marnell February 5, 2007 9:04 pm (Pacific time)

What did I tell you about the danger of Tasers many months ago and received quite a bit of flack for it? Anything that might be able to be used for the control of human beings, will inevitably be used for evil. This includes simple things such as a national drivers license. Burns and blisters on a child you say? Capt. Carter is right. Nothing is designed (publicly) for such horrors, but they will in a short amount of time be used for such things. Yet Taser International Inc. did a marketing job that typically misrepresents the dangers of such an item. The average American does no real intellectual analysis and gets on the bandwagon real fast. Tasers are not the greatest thing since sliced bread or anything else. I never heard anyone hurt or murdered from sliced bread.


Anti-Creep February 5, 2007 8:47 pm (Pacific time)

$156k? Are you kidding? NOT nearly enough!! He's probably been using that tazer on his wife too, I hope she's been examined. What a creep. Did he make his parents proud or what?

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