Man charged with throwing 18 month old

A Russellville man has been indicted for child abuse after being accused of throwing an 18-month-old child into a playpen to stop him from crying.

Thomas Reece Coalson II, 27, 1210 Cave Hollow Road, Russellville, was indicted during the September grand jury session for an incident that occurred in July at the Freddy Mills Trailer Park in Russellville where the child lived with his mother.

Coalson, who was dating the child’s mother at the time, reportedly picked up the child by putting one had over the child’s mouth and the other hand on the back of the child’s head. He then lifted the child and threw him into the playpen to get him to stop “acting wild,” authorities said.

Coalson is also accused of shaking the child, officials said.

According to reports, the child was taken to the hospital where it was confirmed that he had suffered neck injuries. The child is doing well at this time.

According to Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing, the case against Coalson will be set for arraignment on Oct. 26.