CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A Clarksville man was arrested Wednesday after an aggravated burglary investigation led to the discovery of child abuse.
According to a news release from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the victim said he had noticed who he believed was his neighbor, 32-year-old Richard Allen, running from his backyard just after midnight.
Deputies responded and found that the home, two garden sheds, and a vehicle had been burglarized.
The deputies spoke to Allen, who was sitting on his front porch, about the incident and a K9 unit tracked the suspect’s scent to Allen’s backyard.
A resident allowed deputies to search Allen’s home, where they found several of the victim’s stolen items.
After Allen was taken into custody in the backseat of the patrol car, he reportedly became combative and was chemically sprayed. He then cut his forehead by banging it into the bars in the backseat.
While an investigator spoke to Allen’s girlfriend, one of her children came forward complaining of a stomach ache. The investigator also noticed the child’s ear was bleeding.
The child claimed to have been beaten by Allen, along with a sibling in the home. 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.”
Allen was booked into Montgomery County Jail after being treated at Gateway Medical Center for his injuries. He was charged with aggravated child abuse, child abuse, aggravated burglary, resisting arrest and vandalism. His bond was set at $185,000.
Department of Children’s Services along with MCSO Criminal Investigations will continue the investigation.