(Casper, Wyo.) – Thirty-year-old Kirk Padilla pleaded guilty to a modified charge of child abuse during District Court arraignment in July. Padilla stated that he was under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred on April 20, 2015, when a 7-month-old child was in his care.
This morning Judge Daniel Forgey sentenced Padilla to three to five years in prison and to pay a portion of restitution.
According to a plea agreement with the State of Wyoming, they agreed to modify the charge for his plea from aggravated child abuse and aggravated assault to one count of child abuse.
Today, Padilla offered statements in his defense and stated the following in court:
“I love her with all my heart. I take full responsibility of my actions, but no one has cared to hear my version of what happened. Due to my immaturity and carelessness I am here today.”
According to court records, Padilla stated to officers that after drinking with his friends, he had gotten up to feed the infant a bottle when he tripped and fell. He grabbed the infant’s leg and heard a sharp pop.
Click here to read more about this case.