CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Officials said the recovery of stolen items led authorities to discover a case of child abuse.
A deputy responded just after midnight, early Wednesday morning, to the call of a victim on Kay Road who thought he noticed his neighbor run from his backyard.
That neighbor was identified as 32-year-old Richard Allen. According to deputies, the home, two garden sheds, and a vehicle had been burglarized.
Officials said it was teamwork between the Montgomery County Sheriff’s patrol, criminal investigations, and K-9 units which led to the recovery of the stolen property.
Deputies spoke with Allen and said after an investigation and search, the items were recovered from his home.
Authorities arrested Allen, who they said became combative and had to be chemically sprayed. During the incident, Allen cut his forehead on the bars in the car.
It was during the recovery of the items and Allen’s arrest that one of his girlfriend’s children complained of a stomach ache and had a bleeding ear.
Officials said the child claimed to have been beaten by Allen, along with another sibling in the home. According to reports, one of the children required medical attention.
“Everyone did a thorough job investigating this case,” said Sheriff John Fuson. “If they had not been so thorough, we would have never known these children had been abused. Their thoroughness has definitely made an impact on the lives of these children.”
Officials booked Allen into Montgomery County Jail after he was treated at Gateway Medical Center for his injuries. His bond was set at $185,000.
Allen has been charged with aggravated child abuse, child abuse, aggravated burglary, resisting arrest and vandalism.
The investigation was ongoing by the Department of Children’s Services and MCSO Criminal Investigations.
