By In a shocking incident at a child’s birthday party in Indiana, a man identified as Carl Edward Scott, 37, has been charged with battery after allegedly almost biting off another guest’s finger and biting a woman’s torso. The alarming event has left the community stunned and the victims traumatized.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Lowell police officers were called to the home around 10 p.m. on May 17 in response to a “fight in progress.” Upon arrival, an officer observed a man holding Scott to the ground while bystanders waited for law enforcement to intervene. The man told police that Scott had “almost bit his finger off.”
Lowell Police Chief James Woestman disclosed to PEOPLE that the male victim’s finger on his right hand was “shredded to the bone and needed stitches.” Additionally, the man’s wife “had a bite on her torso near the bottom of her rib cage.” The couple were celebrating their daughter’s birthday when the horrifying incident occurred.
The woman recounted to police that her daughter was inside the home with friends while she and other parents were outside. She noticed Scott talking to a female party guest who appeared uncomfortable around him. The affidavit states that the woman observed Scott “take money out of his pocket and began waving it in [the guest’s] face.” The woman then asked Scott to leave.
According to the affidavit, upon being asked to leave, Scott allegedly pushed the woman by her throat and yelled expletives at her. He then reportedly grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, leading to a struggle between Scott and the couple. The man told police he believed Scott was “attempting to bite his finger off” during the altercation.
Police noted that Scott “was unsteady on his feet” and told officers he “felt as if he was going to die.” The affidavit also reveals that during a pat-down search, Scott admitted to having “mushrooms” and “acid” on his person.
As a result of the incident, Scott has been charged with aggravated battery resulting in serious permanent disfigurement, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, and misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury. It is unclear if he has entered a plea, and a hearing is scheduled for July 18.
The disturbing event has left the victims and the community in shock, as what should have been a celebration turned into a nightmare. PEOPLE encourages readers to stay informed about the latest crime coverage by signing up for their free True Crime newsletter, which provides breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage, and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
