Oregon Mother Won’t be Charged in Infant Stun Gun Abuse Case

(ALBANY) - The woman who turned her husband into authorities last month after he allegedly used a 100,00 volt stun-gun device on their 18-month-old son multiple times will not face any charges.

21-year old Jennifer Whittman was cleared by investigators of any criminal wrongdoing in the case, Albany police spokesman Capt. Eric Carter said.

Carter said investigators learned that Jennifer, who had caught her husband using the device on the child before, did the right thing by turning him in after the latest incident.

“She told investigators that when she confronted him about the first incident of abuse, her husband, 23-year-old Rian James Whittman, told her that it was never going to happen again, but then on Saturday, Feb. 3rd he did it again, and she immediately came to us for help,” Carter said.

He added that there were serious problems in the couples relationship, but would not say if Rian had used the device on his wife.

Whittman is accused of repeatedly attacking his son with the device over a 3-week period on his arms, stomach, back, and legs.

Whittman is charged with two counts each of first-and second-degree assault, all of which are Measure 11 crimes.

He is currently out on bail, and as part of his release agreement, he is not to have contact with his wife or son.

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

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Julie Lynn March 7, 2007 10:12 am (Pacific time)

I agree...if a babysitter did this and it was "allowed", the mother would be liable. Where's DHS? Taking a coffee break? I can't imagine her poor decision making being rationalized in her mind, while she listened to her baby scream. No, her shoes aren't any that I'd like to walk in, for sure, and I wouldn't want her guilty conscience, or sleepless nights, or the years of the same that she's got ahead. Unless she doesn't have any conscience at all, that is. Let's hope she doesn't have any more kids to ignore when they need her the most. She's not exactly the poster child for motherhood, is she? Maybe abstinence...

Carla March 6, 2007 7:18 pm (Pacific time)

Hey, Raven, I'm the mom of a 4.5 year old little girl, and I adore my husband. If he ever did such a thing to our daughter, they'd be sweeping up his particles with a microscope. "Walk a mile in her shoes?" The innocent little boy is the victim here, not his skuzzy "parents."

Grey March 6, 2007 11:24 am (Pacific time)

I agree with Carla. There was/is no excuse for letting the first attack go unreported. Spanking is one thing, but to use a stun device on a child as punishment goes beyond the limits of even Oregon's coporal punishment standards. What if the child had been abused by a baby-sitter or another family member? Would she get a pass on not reporting that too?

Slam; March 6, 2007 5:53 am (Pacific time)

there are people now behind bars for less.,why is He on the street? No electronic tag or monitor was mentioned., but don't get caught with any marijuana!, or how many other more pertinant comparisons can you come up with?, and the mom did what she could, hindsight makes me look pretty knowlegeble sometimes, but the here and now was the lady cared enough to start the investigation., the kid is out of there, and a possible greater tragedy was averted.

Raven March 5, 2007 8:47 pm (Pacific time)

Hey Carla, Walk a mile in her shoes.......

Carla March 5, 2007 7:38 pm (Pacific time)

A real mother would have pulverized that man to molecular level the first time she became aware of the abuse. And this woman isn't facing any charges? Sickening.This poor little boy landed two sub-humans as parents.

Dale W. March 5, 2007 7:41 am (Pacific time)

I hope he gets a taste of his own medicine, and the child can get past this and have a "normal" life.

Sara - Keizer March 5, 2007 6:57 am (Pacific time)

How can they let him live in Keizer?? Who says we want a psyco like that living near us!

[Return to Top]