Sherwood, Ore. – A babysitter accused of assaulting a 1-year-old Sherwood, Oregon boy has been arrested.
Portland NBC affiliate KGW reported that Markell Deon Hilaire was arrested on Friday and charged with criminal mistreatment and assault.
The child’s mother, Alicia Quinney, said when she returned from a night out with her boyfriend, they came home to find Hilaire asleep on the couch and her son crying. “The next morning, it was 8:30 and that’s when he woke up and that’s when I saw Jacob. The first thing I saw was a black eye. First thing I saw,” said Alicia.
Sherwood Police say they don’t believe the parents were responsible for the bruises, instead pointing the finger at the babysitter. With no arrest, the parents turned to social media, detailing their ordeal.
A spokesperson for Sherwood Police made a statement in May, saying in part that because of Oregon law, it would be difficult to prosecute. They’re referring to the 2012 ruling by the Oregon Court of Appeals which makes it difficult to prove “substantial pain” in child abuse cases where the victim can’t speak.
KGW reported on Monday that an arrest had been made. The DA’s office declined to provide further details on the arrest but said Oregon law needs to be fixed to protect vulnerable victims.
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