Texas man accused of carving pentagram into son
RICHLAND HILLS, Texas (AP) - A North Texas man carved a pentagram into his 6-year-old son's back Wednesday, telling a 911 dispatcher that he did it because "it's a holy day," Richland Hills police said.
Brent Troy Bartel was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was jailed in lieu of $500,000 bond, said Richland Hills police Sgt. Nathan Stringer. He did not yet have an attorney, Stringer said.
Bartel called 911 early Wednesday morning, and in a matter-of-fact tone, said, "I shed some innocent blood," according to a copy of the recording released by police. After the dispatcher said, "I'm sorry?" he repeated those words, then said he inscribed a pentagram on his son. When the dispatcher asked why, Bartel said "because it's a holy day" before hanging up.
Wednesday's date is 12-12-12, a once-in-a-century event.
Officers who arrived first saw blood smeared on the front door, and it was "blatantly obvious" that it was put there intentionally, Stringer said. Officers in the Fort Worth suburb then found the child with his back almost entirely covered with a large pentagram. The wounds bled a lot but were not deep enough to require stitches, Stringer said.
The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
Richland Hills police also recovered a box cutter they believe was used to cut the boy, he said.
Police plan to order a mental evaluation for Bartel, which will not affect the charges against him but will determine if he should be placed in a mental health unit in jail.
As officers were headed to the scene, a neighbor also called 911, saying a woman was outside her door and telling her something was going on at her house. The child's mother could be heard on the recording saying, "He's trying to hurt my 6-year-old" and "Please hurry! Oh, God!"
When the dispatcher talked to the boy's mother directly and asked whether her husband had weapons, she said she had taken one knife but there were a lot of knives in the house.
Richland Hills police have responded to a few domestic calls involving verbal arguments at the home in the past four or five years, Stringer said.
Brent Troy Bartel was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was jailed in lieu of $500,000 bond, said Richland Hills police Sgt. Nathan Stringer. He did not yet have an attorney, Stringer said.
Bartel called 911 early Wednesday morning, and in a matter-of-fact tone, said, "I shed some innocent blood," according to a copy of the recording released by police. After the dispatcher said, "I'm sorry?" he repeated those words, then said he inscribed a pentagram on his son. When the dispatcher asked why, Bartel said "because it's a holy day" before hanging up.
Wednesday's date is 12-12-12, a once-in-a-century event.
Officers who arrived first saw blood smeared on the front door, and it was "blatantly obvious" that it was put there intentionally, Stringer said. Officers in the Fort Worth suburb then found the child with his back almost entirely covered with a large pentagram. The wounds bled a lot but were not deep enough to require stitches, Stringer said.
The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
Richland Hills police also recovered a box cutter they believe was used to cut the boy, he said.
Police plan to order a mental evaluation for Bartel, which will not affect the charges against him but will determine if he should be placed in a mental health unit in jail.
As officers were headed to the scene, a neighbor also called 911, saying a woman was outside her door and telling her something was going on at her house. The child's mother could be heard on the recording saying, "He's trying to hurt my 6-year-old" and "Please hurry! Oh, God!"
When the dispatcher talked to the boy's mother directly and asked whether her husband had weapons, she said she had taken one knife but there were a lot of knives in the house.
Richland Hills police have responded to a few domestic calls involving verbal arguments at the home in the past four or five years, Stringer said.
Ah, Texas, where everything is bigger. Including the morons.
Texas...no surprise there.
Why doesn't anyone carve atheist symbols in people's backs?  FSM
IF he should be placed in a  mental unit??  Um, like, yes....for good?!  If I was his wife I'd NEVER want him near this boy again.  Scary individual!
Some of these wierdos should just be taken out back and terminated with extreme prejudice! I feel sorry for his son and the mental issues he may have in the future! Â
 @jpk QFT.
All these violent comments lead me to ask a sincere question (and by sincere, I mean I would love an honest answer):
Â
Do you people who condone violence against this man in favor or physically punishing people for being mentally ill?
@brautigan So, do you suppose anyone would do this if they were not mentaly ill? Or walk into a crowded shopping mall and start shooting people they don't know? Or be a serial child rapist? With your (and many others) way of thinking no violent criminal would ever go to jail, just to the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm.
Crucify him. It'll be a once-in-a-century event, AND a holy day.
Stupid stupid stupid father.Â
@pdxd With all due respect, not father, but sperm doner. Fathers do not abuse their kids.
"Wednesday's date is 12-12-12, a once-in-a-century event" Thursday's date is 12-13-12, a once-in-a-century event. How about we lock this clown up and see how many once-in-a-century events he can miss?
 @JTesla This is the problem when people put too much stock in that talk radio and cable TV apocalypse bulls--t. Common sense is not required.
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A friend of mine is explaining the death of fish on the collapse of the magnetosphere, corresponding no doubt to the apocalypse. Which, as Jesus' disciples said, is coming any day now. Any day now.
This guy gives me the "chills" just looking at his picture..! Â Â Look at those cold. empty eyes...Â
That poor little boy..! Â I certainly wish him a swift and full recovery, and I hope he will never, ever have to be anywhere near his "father" again..!
That poor child. The scars he'll carry for the rest of his life are significant. I wish him well in recovery and hopefully he can find safety and love in the arms of those who will willingly protect him. What a horrific experience he endured.
throw this POS in a limb shredder- its a holy day- Im mean chunky day
 @LostSoul Why not put holes in him, bullets preferably, after all it's a 'holy' day.
@str1ngb3nd3r @LostSoul Ya, I like the sound of it, but Im still going with feet first into the limb shredder
 @Pvpbw  @str1ngb3nd3r  @LostSoul Crucify him.