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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford airport sets all-time record for passengers ... Medford pot ban may not last ... Medford man found guilty of attempted murder in stabbing case ... Medford airport sets all-time record for passengers ... Medford pot ban may not last ... Medford man found guilty of attempted murder in stabbing case ... Child-beating suspect faces new charge Attempted murder added to counts against defendant in case involving assault on 19-month-old Medford boy An attempted murder charge has been added against a Medford man accused of brutally beating his toddler stepson. Comment By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 18, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 18, 2012 at 2:15 AM By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 18, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 18, 2012 at 2:15 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for brutal assault of toddler... » Social News An attempted murder charge has been added against a Medford man accused of brutally beating his toddler stepson. A grand jury on Thursday handed down the attempted murder charge and a second first-degree sodomy charge, against Matthew Karl Hyrup, 27. Hyrup in March pleaded not guilty before Judge Tim Barnack in Jackson County Circuit Court to three Measure 11 charges — first-degree assault, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and first-degree sodomy. Hyrup's case has been reassigned to Judge Lorenzo Mejia. Mejia denied defense attorney Jeremy Rosa's attempt to get Hyrup released on bail. He is being held in the Jackson County Jail. Prosecutor Terry Smith-Norton said the new charges were added as the case continued to unfold. Kevin Brewer, the father of Cayden, the 19-month-old boy who was hospitalized after he was found unresponsive at a home on South Columbus Avenue, wondered why the attempted murder charge was not filed immediately. "My son almost didn't make it," Brewer said outside the courthouse, adding that he will attend every court hearing attached to his son's case. Police believe the toddler was severely beaten and sexually assaulted by Hyrup on Feb. 23. The child had been in Hyrup's care while the child's mother left for a couple of hours, police said. The mother called the child's doctor when she returned and discovered the injuries. She and Hyrup were married just weeks before the incident. Hyrup's mother called 9-1-1 after being called to the scene, police said. Brewer was hospitalized in a local psychiatric ward for two days after viewing photos of his son that showed the boy's injuries, he said. "It's been really hard," Brewer said, adding he too suffered from physical, emotional and sexual abuse as a child. From the ages of 4 to 14, Brewer said, a series of his mother's ex-boyfriends, an ex-stepfather and a former stepbrother abused him. Brewer was 16 years old before he spoke of his own abuse, he said. Brewer said he has been told Cayden has been released from the hospital, that the toddler's hearing has returned and he is walking, talking and laughing, Brewer said. Looking at photos of Cayden on his cellphone, Brewer said he has to rely upon news from others to learn about his son's status. Estranged from his son and his ex-wife for a year due to restraining order placed against him by Cayden's mother, Brewer was charged with domestic violence after fighting with the woman last year. The couple divorced soon after, Brewer said. After the alleged attack by Hyrup, Cayden was placed in the care of his maternal grandparents, Brewer said. Jackson County Circuit Court records show Hyrup has been convicted of multiple felony methamphetamine delivery and possession charges, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and driving with a suspended license. Hyrup was among a string of victims, according to court records, who were sexually abused by Daniel Paul Zeman in the 1990s and 2000s. Zeman, now 72, befriended youths at local motocross events, invited them to his east Medford home and chaperoned them on out-of-town trips. Brewer said he sought therapy and solace in the church while facing the fallout from his abuse. "I know he's not going to remember all of (what happened)," Brewer said, adding he hopes his experiences as a survivor can help his son "not go into a cycle of abuse." A pretrial hearing has been set for later this month. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 541-776-4497 or email [email protected]. By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 18, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 18, 2012 at 2:15 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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