A 21-year-old Vesper man has pleaded not guilty to child abuse after he's accused biting a four-year-old child in the face.
Anthony Hansen waived his right to preliminary hearing and is free on a $5,000 signature bond.
According to a Wisconsin Rapids newspaper, the child's babysitter called the sheriff's department last November to report a possible case of child abuse. The sitter says she noticed bruises on the child's face. The sitter says the boy told her Hansen bit him because he didn't go to the bathroom.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, Hansen initially told authorities the child fell. During a second interview with investigators he changed his story saying the child had bitten the dog, and Hansen bit the child to show him being bitten hurts.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 3 ½ years in prison. He'll return to court April 26.
