Mexico man who abused child sentenced to 17 years in prison

An Audrain County judge has sentenced Monte Ashcraft, who was convicted of child abuse in May, to a total of seventeen years in prison, though he will spend only ten years behind bars.

A jury found Ashcraft guilty of child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child following a two-day trial. Ashcraft caused serious injury to a three-month-old child by breaking his arm and ribs. He also didn’t feed the child, causing the boy to be underweight and malnourished.

Judge Wesley Dalton sentenced Ashcraft to ten years in prison for the abuse, and seven years for endangering the welfare of the child, with the sentences to run at the same time.

After Friday’s sentencing, Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger said the following about Ashcraft’s crimes:

“Monte Ashcraft was supposed to protect and nurture this helpless child, and he failed to do that. Ashcraft & the baby’s mother failed to feed the baby an adequate amount of formula – an average of three bottles a day, if that — during the first three months of his life, crucial to development.

“They lied to their pediatrician, and by three months of age, he was seriously malnourished. Ashcraft broke the baby’s arm by picking him up by the arm, and failed to seek medical treatment for the baby’s injuries, repeatedly injuring & re-injuring the baby over a three-day period. The baby’s ribs were also broken in a pattern consistent with being squeezed with a lot of force.

“[Ashcraft] looked to blame others for his actions, and took no responsibility, always looking for someone or something to blame for his abusive, painful actions, which caused this baby to suffer excruciating pain from broken ribs & broken forearm.”