Staff Report

James F. Tinsley

SOUTH WHITLEY — A South Whitley man was arrested for allegedly battering a child and breaking their phone.

James F. Tinsley, 41, 301 W. Buckeye St., South Whitley, is charged with battery on a person less than 14 years old, a level 6 felony; and criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor.

On April 9, a South Whitley Police officer responded to a battery report. A child said they were playing at a park with their friends when an argument ensued among the group at some point. The group left the park and the child was on the phone with a relative when Tinsley knocked the phone from the child’s hand.

According to court documents, the phone hit the ground and the screen broke. The child’s relative said she confronted Tinsley at the park about the situation.

Tinsley told the officer he knew one of the children who was at the park and said he was told the victim was calling someone to beat the child he knew up. Tinsley said he took the phone from the victim. He also made a comment about “putting his hands on them too” in regard to the victim’s relatives.

Tinsley has already been arrested in Whitley County and released on bond.