ATHENS, Ga. — Over three months after former UGA receiver Rara Thomas was dismissed from the team, Thomas was indicted by a grand jury last Wednesday after police say he attacked his child's mother.
He was indicted by an Athens-Clarke County jury on a felony count of cruelty to children in the second degree and two misdemeanor charges of battery/family violence.
He was initially arrested on July 26, when Athens-Clarke County police responded to a domestic violence call within the 300 block of Mill Creek Way.
Thomas spent four days in jail before his bond was set. He was released on a $3,500 bond.
"I am pleased that bond could be set and Mr. Thomas released while we fully investigate the case," Thomas' attorney, Kim Stephens, said in a statement. "We expect that this matter can be resolved swiftly and fairly once all facts are known."
The charges stem from a case of domestic violence on July 26.
According to a police report, Thomas had punched the mother of his child, hurting her in the process. In the indictment, it says Thomas gave the mother of his child a "bloody nose, bloody split lip, a scrape to the chin and bruising to the neck."
Thomas' mugshot in 2024
The indictment also accuses Thomas of causing the child "cruel physical pain by hitting said victim while battering her mother." The indictment says the child suffered a scrap to her forehead during the attack.
The Eufaula, Alabama native was set to enter his second season with the Bulldogs before he was indefinitely suspended six days after his arrest. The former Mississippi State transfer sat down with head coach Kirby Smart four days after his arrest.
"He can no longer be part of the football team," Smart said. "He understands that. We wish him the best moving forward."
In 2023, his only season with the Bulldogs, Thomas had 23 catches for 383 receiving yards and a touchdown.
But it wasn't his only time arrested while on UGA football team.
Before the 2023 season, he was charged with false imprisonment and battery-family violence.
According to a report from the University of Georgia Police Department, he stood blocking off an exit and wouldn't let a then 17-year-old girl leave.
Thomas' mugshot in 2023
He also bruised the girl's arm and caused "abrasions" to her shins, the UGAPD said. These charges were dismissed later that year, which allowed him to return to team activities.
A second Georgia receiver, Colbie Young, is currently suspended indefinitely after he was arrested on Oct. 8 on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault on an unborn child.