Oregon Father who Used Stun-Gun on Infant Son has Case Held-Over Till Next Month

The child remains in the protective custody of DHS

23-year-old Rian James Whittman

(ALBANY, Ore.) - The Oregon father who shocked the nation after he allegedly used a 100,00 volt stun-gun device on his 18-month-old son multiple times had his case held over on Monday.

23-year-old Rian James Whittman is due back in a Linn County Courtroom April 23rd.

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

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

“She told investigators that when she confronted him about the first incident of abuse, her husband 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.

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

Carter says the child, Kyle Whittman, was attacked as many as ten times.

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

According to court records Whittman is currently living at a Keizer address.

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.

The Linn County District Attorney’s office still has not released a motive in the case.