WACO, TX - A 29-year-old man is in custody facing felony charges after a doorbell camera captured a violent and brutal assault against a toddler on Friday afternoon. Paul Anthony Thames turned himself in to authorities on January 16, 2026, after footage of the incident began circulating widely on social media.
Waco Police officers were dispatched at 5:27 p.m. to the 2400 block of Corporation Parkway after a witness reported the assault. Upon arrival, investigators obtained video doorbell footage that showed an adult male violently beating a 3-year-old boy.
The victim was immediately transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Fortunately, in a late-night update, police confirmed the child has since been released from the hospital after being evaluated for his injuries.
Investigation and Arrest
Waco Police Crimes Against Children Detectives took over the scene, confirming that the suspect and the victim were known to one another.
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Suspect Identified: Paul Anthony Thames, 29.
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Charge: Injury to a Child (a third-degree felony in Texas, though it can be elevated depending on the severity of the injury or intent).
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Location: Thames was booked into the McLennan County Jail.
“The Waco Police Department would like to thank everyone for their swift actions in reporting this incident. We do not take these investigations lightly and are committed to a full and thorough investigation of this crime,” the department stated in an official release.
