“The Defendant’s Violence Nearly Killed This Child”: Oregon Father Sentenced for Brutal Assault on Toddler

An Oregon man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for nearly killing his 20-month-old son after punching him in the stomach with such force that it caused a perforation of his small intestine.

Joseph Washington was sentenced Friday to 121 months in prison after a jury earlier this month convicted him of first-degree assault. The incident took place on April 4, 2024, in Portland, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the boy’s mother had custody, and Washington only cared for him occasionally.

On the night of the attack, Washington was watching the boy at his girlfriend’s home when he contacted his ex-girlfriend to say the toddler was “throwing up significantly.” Despite her urging, he refused to take the child to the hospital and instead brought him back to her. She quickly realized how serious the situation was and rushed her son to the emergency room.

Doctors determined the toddler’s intestine had been perforated, causing bile, fluid, and air to leak into his abdomen. “The child underwent immediate surgery once it was discovered that his intestine was perforated and fluid and air were leaking into his abdomen,” prosecutors said.

Medical experts confirmed the injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma and were highly suspicious for child abuse. The boy’s injuries would have made eating or keeping food down impossible, as his digestive system was overwhelmed by the perforation.

Washington later admitted to the child’s mother that he punched the boy twice in the stomach because the toddler was “bothering him that night.” Deputy District Attorney Mihnea Moga, who prosecuted the case, emphasized the severity of the assault. “The defendant’s violence nearly killed this child,” he said.

“Despite his attempts to ignore the child’s symptoms and persuade the mother to have the child go to sleep that night, her decision to take him to the hospital saved his life. The verdict in this case represents accountability for his gruesome behavior. Protecting children is what the community is tasked with, and I am thankful to the jury for reaching the proper conclusion and holding the defendant accountable in this case.”

Prosecutors also noted that Washington had a lengthy criminal history, including prior convictions for assault, kidnapping, and sex trafficking of children. With his conviction and sentencing, prosecutors said, justice was served for a crime that nearly cost a toddler his life.

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