Police: Oregon Mother Knew Husband Was Using Stun Gun on Infant Son

Albany police say the little boy was attacked as many as ten times. He is now in the care of DHS.

Rian James Whittman Photos: Albany Police

(ALBANY) - Police investigating the case of an Albany father who allegedly repeatedly used a 100,000 volt stun-gun device on his 18-month old son, say the boy's mother knew about the abuse weeks before she turned him in to authorities.

Albany police Capt. Eric Carter says 21-year old Jennifer Whittman told investigators that she caught her husband, 23-year old Rian James Whittman, using the device on their son about three weeks ago.

She told investigators that when she confronted him about the abuse, Rian told her that it was never going to happen again, but then on Saturday he did it again. At that point, she brought the child into the Albany Police Department to report the abuse, Carter said.

The child, Kyle Whittman, was treated for burns and blisters on his arms, stomach, back, and legs at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. Kyle was then placed into protective custody by DHS.

Carter says Kyle was attacked as many as ten times.

When asked if the mother was a victim of abuse herself, and perhaps the reason she waited so long to report the child abuse, Carter said he could not answer that because the investigation is not yet complete.

Captain Carter did say that Jennifer appeared to have had no part in the acts of abuse, which occurred over a 3-week period.

He could not comment as to whether or not Rian Whittman was using drugs or alcohol at the time of the alleged abuse.

Carter says the stun gun device used on the little boy isn't a Taser-brand weapon, and unlike Tasers, it is designed to be applied directly to the skin.

The stun gun allegedly used in this case is legal to possess in Oregon, and can be purchased for as little as $10, Carter said.

Whittman, who works as a long-haul truck driver, has no prior criminal history, and prosecutors still don’t have a motive for the abuse.

He remains in the Linn County Jail on two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a Measure 11 offense.

Prosecutors have dropped two counts: Assault in the Second Degree, and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree.

Carter says a grand jury will convene in the coming days to see if any charges should be filed against the child's mother, Jennifer Whittman.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Albany Police Department at (541) 917-7680.