On Tuesday, March 25, Joseph R Dean of Valley, Washington was sentenced in Superior Court.  He previously pleaded guilty as charged to a Felony Assault on a Child and a gross misdemeanor 4^th degree Assault Domestic Violence on an adult.

These charges arose out of an assault that occurred on February 6.  Deputies were called to the location after the victim ran from a residence and sought refuge with a neighbor.  The deputy noticed marks on her body and around her neck that were consistent with her statements about what had occurred. Deputies went to the residence and attempted to talk to Mr. Dean, but he refused to come out of the house.   The deputies could hear children in the home, and finally with permission of the victim, entered and located Mr. Dean.  He was very intoxicated and resisted being taken into custody.

When the victim got back into the home she noticed a large bruise on the head of a 6-month-old child.  This had happened when Mr. Dean had hit her while she was holding the child.

After listening to the evidence and a victim’s impact statement, Judge Nielson sentenced Mr. Dean to eight months in the county jail.  Based on his lack of criminal history, this was the maximum sentence for this crime.

When there is domestic violence, everyone in the home is affected.  In this case, the child who was hit will not have a lasting physical injury, but the emotional scars on children who witness or experience domestic violence can be deep and can last.  From what we know of domestic violence, most perpetrators of domestic violence experienced it as children or observed it in their homes. This can be a self-perpetuating cycle.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, or if you know of someone who is, please reach out to someone for help.  Tell a friend, a physician, a neighbor, or a pastor or call a law enforcement agency.  There are people who can help.  There are protections available.  There is a way to end this cycle.  Children do not deserve to grow up in an environment where they see and experience the terror of violence in the home.  There are agencies that want to help. Please let them help.  If we all act as good neighbors and good friends, we can make this life better for all of us, especially for the children.