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Father accused of abusing toddler

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By LISA A. DAVIS

ldavis@tampatrib.com

Published: July 10, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - A mother came home from work Tuesday night and found her children's father holding down their 17-month-old son and digging his thumb into the child's back, according to a police report.

The toddler was facedown on the bed, a report stated.

"The child was just beside himself crying," said New Port Richey Police Capt. Jeffrey Harrington.

On Wednesday, Nathan Wade Merritt, 5807 Wyoming Ave., was arrested on a felony child abuse charge. He was being held at the Land O' Lakes Jail on Thursday with bail set at $2,000.

The boy's face was swollen, particularly around the eyes, according to the report, and he had bumps on the back of his head. When the mother asked her 21/2-year-old daughter what happened, she said, "Daddy went 'pow.'"

As a precaution, both children were taken to Community Hospital in New Port Richey, where they were treated and released, Harrington said.

They discovered the girl also had lumps on her head, according to Harrington. The children were placed in protective custody, he added.

Merritt told police he couldn't remember what happened but he was the only one watching the children, the report states.

The investigation is ongoing.

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