Medford man gets prison for breaking baby's leg - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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Medford man gets prison for breaking baby's leg Jordan Dale Silva Friday Jun 2, 2017 at 10:33 AM Jun 2, 2017 at 10:33 AM Nick Morgan Mail Tribune @mtcrimebeat A Medford man was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to crimes that included breaking an infant boy's leg while the baby was in his care. Jordan Dale Silva, 24, pleaded guilty to a felony criminal mistreatment charge Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court, admitting he was responsible for a host of injuries to his then-girlfriend's 11-month-old son that included a skull fracture and a broken lower leg. Silva also pleaded guilty to an unrelated vehicle theft charge. On Sept. 9, while his girlfriend was at work, Silva reportedly caused bruising to the infant boy's back, arms, legs and face and broke the child's tibia, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Terry Smith-Norton, who prosecuted the case. The child also had a fracture on his right scapula that doctors at Providence Medford Medical Center estimated to be two months old. Paul Moser, Silva's court-appointed defense lawyer, said the case was "probably defensible," but said his client wants to address his heroin and methamphetamine problems. Smith-Norton said the infant's 5-year-old brother told investigators that Silva "did mean things" when their mother was away. "He said it did not happen to him because 'he knew how to be good,'" Smith-Norton said. The child's mother showed up for the hearing, but declined to make a statement.  Silva also pleaded guilty to a felony count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, admitting he took a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV belonging to an acquaintance in November 2016 and refused to return the vehicle until it was ultimately impounded in Salt Lake City. The crimes of criminal mistreatment in the first degree and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle both carry 18-month prison sentences. Moser asked Circuit Judge Patricia Crain to run the sentences concurrently. Crain ordered Silva to serve the sentences consecutively, but authorized alternative incarceration programs once he completes his first sentence. — Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat.