A Ponca City man remained in the Kay County Okla. Detention Center this week, after his arrest Saturday on charges of first-degree rape and child neglect.
The alleged victim is 10-months-old, according to a Ponca City police report.
Thomas Jay Wells, 24, was arrested at his apartment in the 1500 block of E. Bradley in Ponca City.
(Kay County Booking Photo)
The Ponca City News reports the child, who court records show is Wells’s daughter, was taken to a hospital in Blackwell Saturday and later transported to OU Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Police interviewed Wells, who is said to have admitted that the child sustained injuries while under his care.
Ponca Police Det. Sgt. Brian Dye said Wells gave several different reasons for the injuries including saying the child slipped while in the bath and fell onto a drain. He did not, though, admit to sexually assaulting the child.
Doctors report they believed the child’s injuries were caused by sexual abuse and not a fall.
Police searched the residence and reported finding a pair of shorts belonging to Wells that were collected as evidence.
He is being held in jail with bond set at $5-million.
Wells, according to information available online, has previously lived in Winfield and Ark City. He also attended schools in Newkirk and Ark City.
