Man sentenced for beating his child

This week in the Upshur County 115th District Court, Matthew Patrick Reid

(DOB: 3/19/1987), was sentenced to eight years in prison and a $5,000 fine. With the maximum sentence for this Third Degree Felony being ten years, District Attorney, Billy W. Byrd, argued the maximum be imposed while the defense asked for probation.

On the day of the offense, Matthew Reid was allowed a visitation with his 18 month old daughter while at his parents’ home outside of Gilmer. While changing her diaper he stated to the child’s mother that the child would not cooperate so he spanked her two times. He told the mother through text messages he should not have done it and sent a photograph that showed the result of the beating to her buttocks. However, when the mother came for her child she saw that her daughter was bruised in her private area, lower back and leg with not only bruising, but split skin. She immediately contacted the Sheriff ’s Office and took her daughter to the hospital. Due to the injuries, the State brought Third Degree – Injury to a Child charges.

Evidence was produced in Court which showed that in 2012, this defendant broke his three day old child’s femur while changing her diaper. This was his second child from a previous relationship. This offense occurred in a neighboring county where the defendant was prosecuted for a misdemeanor and placed on two years of probation. He was ordered to complete Parenting Classes, Anger Intervention Classes and other classes that the defendant stated in Court he “did not take them seriously”. With this case being handled as a misdemeanor, the State could not use it to enhance punishment although those witnesses were called in trial this week.

The State was represented by Billy W. Byrd. The defendant, Matthew Patrick Reid, was represented by Gilmer Attorney, Matthew Patton. Visiting Judge, The Honorable Becky Simpson, presided.

/s/ Billy W. Byrd

Billy W. Byrd

Criminal District Attorney

Upshur County, Texas