Fremont Man Accused of Abusing Child in Linwood

DAVID CITY, Neb. - A Fremont man is accused of swinging a mop at a child in Linwood. 42-year-old Thayne Babutzke is charged with one count of felony child abuse in Butler County. Records say a child told a school teacher Babutzke struck him on his forearm with a mop last month at a Linwood residence. The child told authorities that he swung the mop like a baseball bat, causing a painful dark bruise, according to the affidavit. Documents say when confronted about the incident, Babutzke told a deputy that he grabbed the kid by the arm after he fell on the mop, saying "he must bruise easily." The judge has barred Babutzke from visiting the child or any member of the child's family, including his mother. He is also accused of misdemeanor driving under revocation.