Sentenced: Tracy Gene Matthew seriously injured 21-month-old boy and withheld medical attention

[Sugar Cookie]

A Salem man was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for abusing a woman's toddler son.

Tracy Gene Matthew, 27, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment for physically abusing the then-21-month-old child and withholding medical treatment.

Matthew was arrested Sept. 8 after the abuse was reported to the Salem Police Department.

According to court documents, the boy was left in the care of Matthew, who abused him on two separate occasions then attempted to seriously injure him between Sept. 4 and Sept. 7.

Prosecutor Brendan Murphy said the toddler sustained "significant injuries."

In a notice to the court, Murphy noted that Matthew had shown "deliberate cruelty to the victim" during multiple incidents, was motivated by bias and showed a lack of remorse.

He said Matthew's incarceration was necessary for public safety.

On March 4, Matthew pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal mistreatment, three weeks before he was scheduled to stand trial.

The toddler's mother, Melanie Rae Pruitt, 22, of Salem, was later indicted on two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment for allegedly withholding medical attention from her son and leaving him "unattended for a period of time that was likely to endanger (his) health and welfare."

She was scheduled for arraignment on March 11 but failed to appear in court, according to court records.

Further details regarding her role in her son's abuse were unavailable.

Salem man sentenced to 5 years in prison for child abuse

A Salem man was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for abusing a woman's toddler son.

www.statesmanjournal.com

 

[Sugar Cookie]

MELANIE RAE PRUITT Inmate 23265688: Marion County Jail near Salem, OR

MELANIE RAE PRUITT 23265688 View arrest, jail and bonding information for this inmate that has been incarcerated at the Marion County Jail near Salem, OR

www.rapsheets.org

 

[Sejanus]

Break needles off in them.

 

[Sevens My Charm]

A Salem man was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for abusing a woman's toddler son.