Delaware County man accused of burning child with cigarette, court docs reveal

DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — Court documents reveal that deputies from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department were called to IU Ball Memorial Hospital after a child was admitted with bruises on his body and a burn on his arm.

Tyler S. Brantlinger, 30, was arrested on Tuesday on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent and battery of a person under 14, both Level 5 felonies.

According to court documents, the child was admitted to the Muncie hospital on Sunday with staff noting multiple bruises on his arms, legs and torso. An injury on his forearm also appeared to be caused by a burn, hospital staff told police.

Deputies said that on Tuesday, the child was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center. The child accused Brantlinger of burning his arm with a lit cigarette.

Brantlinger denied burning the child with a cigarette, police said. Brantlinger originally also denied ever physically disciplining the child, but police said he later walked the denial back and admitted to physically disciplining the child in the past but not to burning the child.

Final charges in this case will be decided by the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office.

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