MONROE — A Monroe man won’t serve any more time in jail for assaulting 13-year-old twin sisters with developmental disabilities.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Richard Okrent on Tuesday sentenced the man to 126 days in the county lock-up, giving the defendant credit for the four-plus months he already served. Braxton Brand faced up to a year in jail.
He pleaded guilty last week to fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor, for the April 3 incident involving his neighbor’s children. Police were told that Brand, 45, used a paddle on the teens. Detectives also were told he paddled other children living with him and his wife.
Monroe police recovered a plywood paddle, measuring about 2 feet long and 5 inches wide. Detectives were told it bore the names of children who had been hit with it.
Brand’s attorney Neal Friedman maintained Tuesday that his client didn’t abuse any children. Brand admitted in plea paperwork that he “spanked” the girls. He denied causing any bruises.
Brand had received text messages from his wife, who was out of town, asking him to help with the neighbor’s girls. He was told to go upstairs and get the kids under control, Friedman said.
“That’s when the spanking occurred,” the defense attorney said. “He didn’t bruise her. He did what he was told to do …”
Friedman said there were multiple people living in the two apartments and the adults disciplined all of the children.
Several other people were arrested in connection with the case. They are not expected to be charged.
“This was a difficult case to negotiate but we believe this is a fair resolution,” deputy prosecutor Leanne Foster told the judge.
Brand plans to return to Tennessee, where his wife now is living. He was ordered not to have any contact with the twins.
“These are unfortunate circumstances,” Okrent said. “I think this will get you back home to your wife.”
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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