Update on child abuse case in OR (baby injured by babysitter
Jun 6, 2016 19:02:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 19:02:42 GMT
A 27-year-old man faces felony charges in the alleged abuse of a Sherwood baby he was babysitting months ago – a swift turn in a case that drew national attention to Oregon law after it initially appeared no arrest would be made.
Police arrested Markell D. Hilaire Friday on accusations of criminal mistreatment and third- and fourth-degree assault. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Washington County Circuit Court at 3 p.m. Monday.
The 1-year-old boy's father, Joshua Marbury, took to Facebook in May to express his outrage over an Oregon court ruling that he believed prevented his son's alleged abuser from facing charges. The post soon went viral, reaching more than 100,000 shares within a day. It now has more than 408,000 shares.
Authorities responded by saying the case remained under investigation, and they also drew attention to problems with Oregon child abuse laws.
The Washington County District Attorney's Office sent out a statement about the arrest Monday morning.
"Because this is a pending criminal case involving the abuse of a child, we cannot provide further details regarding the specific facts of this case," the statement says.
"Although charges were filed in this particular case, the need to fix Oregon law to protect vulnerable victims remains. Under current Oregon law, animals are more protected from physical injury than many children."
This story will be updated with more information.
Police arrested Markell D. Hilaire Friday on accusations of criminal mistreatment and third- and fourth-degree assault. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Washington County Circuit Court at 3 p.m. Monday.
The 1-year-old boy's father, Joshua Marbury, took to Facebook in May to express his outrage over an Oregon court ruling that he believed prevented his son's alleged abuser from facing charges. The post soon went viral, reaching more than 100,000 shares within a day. It now has more than 408,000 shares.
Authorities responded by saying the case remained under investigation, and they also drew attention to problems with Oregon child abuse laws.
The Washington County District Attorney's Office sent out a statement about the arrest Monday morning.
"Because this is a pending criminal case involving the abuse of a child, we cannot provide further details regarding the specific facts of this case," the statement says.
"Although charges were filed in this particular case, the need to fix Oregon law to protect vulnerable victims remains. Under current Oregon law, animals are more protected from physical injury than many children."
This story will be updated with more information.
