Audrain County jury convicts man of child abuse

A jury found a Mexico, Missouri man guilty of child abuse with serious physical injury and endangering the welfare of a child Tuesday night after deliberating for three hours.

The abuse took place between March and May of 2014.

32-year-old Monte Corriel Ashcraft faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 22 years.

Ashcraft was found guilty of breaking the three-month-old child’s arm while picking him up. He failed to take the child to the doctor and continued to re-injure the child over a three day period. Prosecutors also say Ashcraft and the mother did not feed the baby enough, causing the child to be seriously malnourished.

Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger says he commends the jury’s decision. He also says the baby is now in a safe home with a loving and caring family.

A sentencing hearing was set for July 22.