TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. -- A man is charged with child abuse after biting two kids -- permanently scarring them -- and their mother has been charged with child neglect, Pinellas County deputies say.
According to deputies, the investigation began Aug. 20, after the four children of Andrea Fulton, 25, were removed from their Tarpon Springs home because of problems with her boyfriend, Rashawn Davis, 29.
The children range in age from 6 years to 1 year old. Davis is the biological father of the 1-year-old.
The children were examined medically, and bite marks were found on two of the kids, deputies said.
The 2-year-old boy had more than 35 marks on his back and eight bite marks on his back, buttocks and face, deputies say. The 3-year-old boy had a bite mark on his buttock.
A forensics bite expert confirmed the bites were not accidental and the force used was significant.
Dental impressions were taken of Fulton and Davis, and the expert ruled out the bites coming from the mother but could not rule out Davis.
On Thursday, detectives interviewed Davis, and they said he admitted to biting the 2-year-old multiple times out of frustration.
They also interviewed Fulton, and they said she admitted to knowing about the bites and didn't seek medical care.
The two were arrested Thursday. Davis was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm. His bail was set at $100,000.
Fulton was charged with two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm.
Jail records show several previous arrests for Davis for child abuse and domestic battery and for Fulton, including for domestic battery and grand theft.
The children remain in foster care or with relatives.
The investigation is continuing.
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