LOGAN — A Cache County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for allegedly abusing an 8-year-old boy, leaving the alleged victim with bite marks on his back and arm, according to law enforcement. Drake Alan Balls, 29, was booked Tuesday into the Weber County Jail following an investigation by the Logan City Police Department.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, police responded Oct. 5 to Logan Regional Hospital on a report of a child with several injuries. The alleged victim had multiple bite marks on his body, and severe stomach and neck pain. Pictures of the bite marks showed clear teeth impressions.
The child was interviewed the next day at the Cache Children’s Justice Center. He claimed he and his father were supposedly playing when the Hyrum man bent him in half while on a couch and sat on top of him. This reportedly caused pain to his stomach to the point he could not eat without throwing up.
The alleged victim also explained how the bite marks came after Balls was playing “Zombie” with the child and kept biting him with his mouth. The child told investigators that he asked his dad to stop because he didn’t like it and it hurt, but the suspect continued to bite him. The boy told law enforcement the bite to his back was so painful that it caused him to cry but Balls did nothing about it, according to the jail booking report..
Police attempted to interview Balls about the allegations but he declined.
Balls made an initial appearance Wednesday in Logan’s 1st District Court. He was charged with one count of aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony.
Cache County deputy attorney Joshua Coe asked the court to hold Balls in jail without bail. He claimed the suspect was a threat to the alleged victim and had injured the child before.
Defense attorney Aubri Thomas asked for Balls to be released from jail. She said the Hyrum man and the alleged victim would regularly play like this but this time someone got hurt.
Judge Brian Cannell said Balls posed a threat to the alleged victim and could possible flee the area if released on bail. He ordered him to remain behind bars for now and appear again in court Nov. 19.
Logan City Police Lt. Brooks Davis said their agency was asked to investigate the case due to Balls being employed by the sheriff’s office.
Cache County Sheriff Chad Jensen confirmed Balls was placed on unpaid leave while an internal investigation is conducted and the criminal case moves forward. He couldn’t comment further due to the active case being investigated by another agency, but said “it was unfortunate this incident happened.”
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.