Oregon Man Arrested For Using Stun Gun on 18-Month Old Son

Albany Capt. Eric Carter says the child received multiple injuries to his arms, stomach, back, and legs.

(ALBANY) - A 21-year old mother contacted the Albany Police Department Saturday afternoon to report child abuse allegations against her husband.

She told officers that her husband, 23-year old Rian James Whittman, shot her 18-month old son repeatedly with a stun gun causing injury.

The investigation revealed that Rian James Whittman used a 100,000 volt stun-gun device multiple times on his 18-month old son over an approximately 3-week period.

The child was taken to Samaritan Albany General Hospital where he was examined and treated for injuries from the stun-gun.

The child was later taken into protective custody by the Department of Human Services.

Albany Police arrested Rian James Whittman later that same night at 10:20 PM. in the 1900 block of SE Hill Street without incident.

Albany Capt. Eric Carter says the child received multiple injuries to his arms, stomach, back, and legs.

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bridgie September 15, 2008 6:19 pm (Pacific time)

omg this is so horrible.if this is the truth on what really happened what is a baby gonna do to u. i mean all they can really do is embarssed u.omg what a monster.god please help him though his time of need this is horrible.i would also like to ask from u to send him the kind of help he need's. bcuz he obvisouly is sick in the head.there is no call for this.amen.please everyone reading this i understand ur confussion with this but may we please come together and pray as a whole.

NOBODY November 10, 2007 11:06 am (Pacific time)

JUST TO CONFIRM, HIS CRAZY WIFE ACCUSED HIM, HE ISNT CONVICTED YET BRAINIACS!

suzanne July 12, 2007 12:35 pm (Pacific time)

he thanks hes strong for hurting a 18 month old hes sick really really sick to me and others .

Christina R March 23, 2007 10:29 pm (Pacific time)

This is such a shock..Iv known him since childhood and I never would have thought he would be capable of something like this. How scary is it when you dont even know your friends? But at least the baby is ok thats the important part! I have a two year old myself. I cant even swat her hand without feeling like a bad mother.

Christina February 26, 2007 11:50 pm (Pacific time)

I cant even yell at my two year old baby girl with out feeling bad. some people have it to be parents and some dont and these people are just sick everyone is up set about the dad what about the mom she gave life to this child that was her one great creation and she let this happen she is scared of him . he needs help some people have no sence of empethy and right or wrong. no judge could do the juctice that child desirves.

JAFO; February 8, 2007 11:08 pm (Pacific time)

rarely being short of words.,the CNN's version of child's death in Pittsburgh stuns me, shames me, and makes me ill, and I've got the rest of my life to be a good man. God! I can't believe this!

Oregonian stationed in Seoul February 8, 2007 6:48 pm (Pacific time)

And yet here we have another contender for "Father of the Year":
CNN: Frozen toddler's father also faces sex charge
What the hell is wrong w/ these people?

Just Me February 8, 2007 3:10 pm (Pacific time)

What I find a little more pathetic than the though of an individual doing this to a child is, The vigilantism on this board. The kid is ok, They have a suspect in custody, Until a judge and jury has passed judgment this guy he is Innocent period end of story. It might be better if our biased opinions be held until then.

america February 7, 2007 8:56 pm (Pacific time)

in this country we are innocent until proven guilty let the courts deal with crime ,and then we stick that stun gun **** for a 100,000 volt enama

Anonymous February 7, 2007 8:17 pm (Pacific time)

Why would anyone want to hurt a child? Children are a gift from God. This just makes me sick.

Mari February 7, 2007 4:34 pm (Pacific time)

This is complete and utter insanity! Why would someone do something like this to a child? And what the heck took his mom so long to report it? Three weeks? I'm sorry, but any mother would have noticed the burn marks on their child long before then. She either waited to come forward for some reason or she was neglecting her child. Either way I'm glad the little boy is out of that situation.

Ho-oh Master February 7, 2007 1:12 pm (Pacific time)

O_O WTF!? Why would somone do that? To feel more powerful then a baby?

Hank Ruark February 7, 2007 10:28 am (Pacific time)

To all: Great comments, even those so far off-base...makes "public opinion" meaningful, especially for Legislative committees seeking ways to strengthen budget for proper social services absolutely illuminated here.

judge; February 7, 2007 12:20 am (Pacific time)

a jury has not yet reached a verdict, and I think nine out of ten comments want to hang his ass now without proof of guilt yet. You can bet he and she both know how hostile the community is, but it isn't over yet, this has got some to go, and the child,whose name is Kyle by the way, is now safe and out of there., and Salem-News is on it.

Anonymous February 6, 2007 9:54 pm (Pacific time)

When that guy goes to jail, you can bet that he's gonna be ranked with the rapists and pedophiles by the rest of the population, who will then proceed to beat the f out him at every given opportunity. That kid suffered for three weeks. This guy's going to have it for three years...hopefully.

Hang him by the balls. February 6, 2007 9:45 pm (Pacific time)

Assault in the second degree??? Kinda makes you wonder what the hell one has to do to get assault in the first degree.

CC February 6, 2007 9:31 pm (Pacific time)

I just want to cry, I hear about all these little children being mistreated and it leaves a hole in my heart. I want to take an ad out in every paper in the U.S. saying I will take your unwanted, mistreated and abused babies. . . if I could, I would.

Didi February 6, 2007 8:13 pm (Pacific time)

What an abosolute monster, reading this (and certain previous posts) just makes me sick.

Tia February 6, 2007 7:47 pm (Pacific time)

I'm horrified to have read this. What a monster!

Anonymous February 6, 2007 2:10 pm (Pacific time)

I HOPE the judge reads this, before passing sentence on THAT CHILD ABUSER!!! This was an email I was sent earlier this week, read it, and just IMAGINE if that guy would only have used it on HIMSelf.. not this child. >>>this email sent was meant to be a joke>> end of joke

Patrick F. February 6, 2007 1:46 pm (Pacific time)

Anybody here who thinks this is funny or making jokes about it needs to have their *** beat

Jessica February 6, 2007 12:59 pm (Pacific time)

This is regarding Drew's comments-Are you really that stupid?If you really think an 18 month old is that much of a threat then you are just as guilty as the SOB who did this inhumane thing to an innocent child. We don't even use such force on rabid, violent animals and yet you think that it is fine to do this to a child. I honestly think YOU need to get serious help and God help us all if you ever decide to procreate.

Otto February 6, 2007 12:40 pm (Pacific time)

What, so the kid's a slow learner...

Christian February 6, 2007 11:48 am (Pacific time)

To the person who said "Why all the critisism for the Mother"... Are you brain dead? Failing to act to protect your child is as disgusting as the act of torturing the child itself. Don't give me that walk a mile in her shoes BS. What about the Dad, should we feel sorry for him because of some unfortunate circumstances he may have gone through earlier in life? Of course not! She should have acted earlier, no excuses!!

Mary February 6, 2007 11:37 am (Pacific time)

To: The Mama, Hey look at the other story posted here about this case. They are looking into why she didn't tell police about this earlier. She could be charged, unless she is out gathering up bail money for him, but who in their right mind would want him back out????

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

Over a 3 week period and the mother is just now reporting it? Is she so dense that she couldn't tell? Where is HER arrest? The APD love arresting anyone they can anyway, why don't they do some good with it and get this woman off the street before she can procreate again!

Kelli February 6, 2007 10:37 am (Pacific time)

Boy I would like to use the stun gun on him. Hopefully he gets tortured in jail.

Dianne February 6, 2007 9:19 am (Pacific time)

Why all the criticism for the mother? It is possible she was being abused also. Unless you have walked a mile in those shoes, it is hard to know.

RSV February 6, 2007 7:44 am (Pacific time)

I'm glad the kid is ok... I would like to know what the mother was doing. Did she know or was she oblivious to this all going on. Some comments for some of the other comments left here (look at Drew's comment above) WTF, why would a 23 yr old man be threatended by a 18 mnth old child????? Sorry this is just way out there for any excuse!!!!! I have 2 children (2 and 4) of my own and if my husband ever did that to either one of them, I would turn him in after I took care of him first.

seyelda February 6, 2007 6:30 am (Pacific time)

This child will likely never be "alright". Shame on those making humor over this. There is nothing humorous about it.

John P February 6, 2007 1:24 am (Pacific time)

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The child was treated for injuries and the mother reported the abuse. The child is in protective custody because it is in mortal danger. I pray justice will be had by all.

joe February 6, 2007 12:59 am (Pacific time)

put the fear back into the children.

Kamelia February 5, 2007 11:12 pm (Pacific time)

I'm amazed at human...stupidity these days. :)

Misty Dawn February 5, 2007 8:57 pm (Pacific time)

I wonder where he got that idea from? FDA Gives Approval To Toddler Tazer http://www.crystalair.com/content.php?id=31200605006"

Shelley February 5, 2007 8:15 pm (Pacific time)

This guy deserves the death penalty immediately.

Lars February 5, 2007 8:10 pm (Pacific time)

I've been shocked with over 100,000v a few times accidentally in working with electronics. You can carry 25KV potential around with you in static electricity. Was he into meth? If he was he probably would have built a sound proof baby room by meticulously cutting and gluing foam to make the walls have a sound muting shape like in recording studios. If you wanted to pick a drug for that I would say alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opiates as withdraws from those can make something like a baby crying really piss you off. I've done all of these drugs, so I speak with some authority on the subject. I only did benzodiazepines and amphetamines enough to build up a tolerance, so I am not sure what opiate withdrawals would be like. Withdrawal from stimulants like meth is really easy though, it is actually enjoyable in a way.

Kit February 5, 2007 8:01 pm (Pacific time)

How sad- and they wonder why moms don't report abusive dads... We don't know how she found out he had done this, or if she caught him once and he told her 'oh shut up I've been doing it for 3 weeks' or how she even found out- but now her child is in custody of the state, and due to Oregon state laws she can not get him back for at least 90 days - GREAT way to encourage reporting abuse...

JAFO February 5, 2007 6:55 pm (Pacific time)

I agree with "patience".,most seem ready to string this guy up rite now and mom too.,facts yet out and she may have been fearful of talking or unaware of truth.,or maybe not telling the whole story? I don't know yet, but happy said child is outa' there and till we know WTF is going on.,maybe a little Tai Chi breathing out for awhile till it gets factual.

Jack Alexander February 5, 2007 6:53 pm (Pacific time)

This man is lucky he isn't in an Orange County, CA jail. The inmates would beat him to death. Very lucky he is, I've seen such beatings here. (I don't approve of the deputies putting this kind of slime in less than protective custody, but here they seem to make a point of putting this kind of idiot in general population.)

Patience Wins February 5, 2007 6:22 pm (Pacific time)

Lets all be patient. He's going to prison, with all those other Dads. I'll bet he has a few shocking experiences there himself, late at night, with the guards looking the other way. Prisoners who love their kids have a way of providing certain lessons to abusive parents that judges can't directly impose. I'd like to understand more about what was up with the mother. She may not have been present at first, and if the husband lied to her about the marks, at first she's naturally going to believe him. I definitely understand removing the child from her too, until authorities can be sure of WTF was going on.

Me February 5, 2007 6:22 pm (Pacific time)

I hope Electroman doesn't have any kids. He seems to like to refer to children as "IT" too much. As for the parents, both of them should be in jail. A mother doesn't wait 3 weeks to report abuse.

Drew February 5, 2007 5:59 pm (Pacific time)

We should reserve judgement until we find out exactly what this juvenile toddler deliquent did to deserve this. Maybe he was violent and lashed out and the father felt threatened. You have the right to defend yourself from bodily harm.

Electrical Engineer February 5, 2007 5:22 pm (Pacific time)

The people here commenting on amperage vs. voltage do not know what they are talking about. The electro-motive force, or voltage in laymen's, causes current to flow. Current is the flow of electricity, and what damages a human body. But current is dependent on the load (V=IR), so different amounts of current will flow through different things for the same voltage. The voltage, on the other hand, will not change from target to target. Further, as volts cause current to flow, more volts produces more current produces more ouch. This is why signs say "high voltage." As far as this guy goes, this is not a case of a drug user or an overly violent person. This is a clear cut case of stupid.

JIM February 5, 2007 5:12 pm (Pacific time)

A LICENSE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE CHILDREN.

Bill February 5, 2007 5:07 pm (Pacific time)

Has anyone considered the fact that he didn't do it? The mother is only 21, I knew a girl around that age who punched herself in the face and called the cops claiming her boyfriend did it. She did this the night she found out he had cheated on her.

Cameltoes February 5, 2007 5:04 pm (Pacific time)

LOL! Great idea! And here I was using liquor to shut my kids up.

Kat February 5, 2007 4:59 pm (Pacific time)

It took the mom 3 weeks of taser assaults to finally call the police? Poor kid...these people should be stopped from having more children. This guy should be strung up by his balls and tasered 100 times.

BMAND February 5, 2007 4:57 pm (Pacific time)

The mother should be in jail with the father. Why did it take her three (3) weeks to report the abuse to authorities?

Not Amused February 5, 2007 4:50 pm (Pacific time)

Jason - Who cares what his motive is? He's mean and he committed a crime. Your logic is flawed. You can't force change on someone, but you can keep them away from the rest of us. He can't do it again if he's locked-up long enough.

Wendy February 5, 2007 4:39 pm (Pacific time)

I have noticed that guy-oriented cartoons, video games, and comedy shows are often physically brutal, shoot em up and hack em up kinds of formats. Could it be when less than bright people fill their head with violence for years they think nothing of using a stun gun on a little baby?

Electroman February 5, 2007 4:36 pm (Pacific time)

Maybe the schmoe watched all those cop shows that claim there is no harm from tasering. Maybe it really did shut the brat up. At least he didn't shake it or cave it's head in with a tire iron.

Anonymous February 5, 2007 4:33 pm (Pacific time)

To whomever posted this: "Actually.. Voltage means absolutely nothing. It's the Watts = Volts x Amps." Where does the current come from ? Volts / resistance... It all depends on 2 things 1. Voltage 2. Available current from source Also, none of this has much to do with the main point which is this losers incredible cruelty/stupidity towards a small child.

david February 5, 2007 4:26 pm (Pacific time)

hook his nuts to a car battery and listen to the pig squeal.

Bill Jackson Keizer February 5, 2007 4:23 pm (Pacific time)

Funny how it's after four o'clock and the Stateman still has nothing on this story which is on EVERY other news website in this state. Shows how much they know about news and what people want to read.

Anonymous February 5, 2007 4:21 pm (Pacific time)

And yet the cops make it worse by taking it away from the mother.

Eastcoast esko February 5, 2007 4:17 pm (Pacific time)

Screw shocking his nut just toss him in a vat of boiling water and drop in the toaster that could be a start

Jason Solmen February 5, 2007 4:17 pm (Pacific time)

theres somthing wrong here, prison doesnt help, he does deserve punishment but somthing has to be there thats making him think that its ok to do that, thats what the court should focus on, how to change the way he thinks, cause even if he gets maximum sentence, he will just get out and do somthing else again

Julie February 5, 2007 4:16 pm (Pacific time)

Real tough guy. Anyone impressed? What a little, little man.

Ed February 5, 2007 4:09 pm (Pacific time)

At least he wasn't spanking the kid.

Ian A. Paul February 5, 2007 3:55 pm (Pacific time)

A person who does something like this must have a screw loose.

Sparky February 5, 2007 3:48 pm (Pacific time)

Viligente justice sounds great, but in the long run nothing is more satisfying than to know that our laws, which exist to protect you and me from ignorant mob injustices, will do what they were designed to do and remove this creep from decent society.

Terry February 5, 2007 3:30 pm (Pacific time)

Hey Anon if volts don't mean nothing,can I zap you with 100,000 volts? May not kill an adult but I think it's enough to do seious harm to an 18 month old. Weather it's half an amp or 1 amp,doesnt matter 100.000 volts to a baby is harmful.

Eric "megavolt" Carter February 5, 2007 3:26 pm (Pacific time)

B-b-b-but... It shuts up the junkies!

The Punisher February 5, 2007 3:21 pm (Pacific time)

give me 20 minutes with him, and I'll show him what pain is.

Tattrat February 5, 2007 3:16 pm (Pacific time)

I hope he gets everything he deserves and then some. Ignorance personified.

Anon February 5, 2007 3:14 pm (Pacific time)

Actually.. Voltage means absolutely nothing. It's the Watts = Volts x Amps that will get you. Sort of like if your car battery is dead and won't "crank". Point is... Volt's an't what kills you.

Amelia February 5, 2007 3:05 pm (Pacific time)

Doesn't look like a meth user - working on a double chin! Must just be extermely cruel and ignorant.

august February 5, 2007 3:00 pm (Pacific time)

if I was her on the first event I would have waited till he was asleep and did his nads. only not stop, just keep on applying the voltage...good that the child is in protective custody

Casey February 5, 2007 3:00 pm (Pacific time)

well he may not get stunned in jail but you can bet he will be given the shocker

voiceOFreason February 5, 2007 2:47 pm (Pacific time)

People who harm children should be treated like the scum they are, unless they need medical or mental help. Then they should treated as such. If he is indeed a meth user or an alcoholic, as "Anonymous" guesses, then he has a disease and needs help.... no uninformed ridicule.

Dino February 5, 2007 2:44 pm (Pacific time)

Why did she wait 3 weeks? If she knew it earlier, arrest her too.

Brian A February 5, 2007 2:40 pm (Pacific time)

I am glad the wife made the call to Child Protective Services. What I want to know is why she let the abuse continue for three weeks. If I saw him do it once that would have been enough!

Anonymous February 5, 2007 2:35 pm (Pacific time)

I willing to guess that he is either a meth user, or an alcoholic.

Bryan February 5, 2007 2:32 pm (Pacific time)

I think that that man should experience the zap of his stun gun on his testicular region several times a day over a three-week period. This should be in addition to his jail sentence.

Steve K February 5, 2007 2:32 pm (Pacific time)

Whats the appropriate voltage to use on an 18 month old? 50000 volts? 25000? I dont really know and the article doesnt explain.

Bjorn Olafson February 5, 2007 2:26 pm (Pacific time)

Well lets see...I think Rian James would have to suck on 1.5 million volts to show him what it feals like.

cgrace February 5, 2007 2:26 pm (Pacific time)

Thank God for a mother who reports her husband for child abuse. Those who don't are just as responsible.

Justice Personified February 5, 2007 2:26 pm (Pacific time)

The appropriate punishment would be regular application of said stun gun to the guy's testes. Cruel - Not when given in context Unusual - Definitely not when given in context.

Matt Johnson February 5, 2007 1:35 pm (Pacific time)

Nobody has a good excuse for this, I am glad that the little kid is OK.

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