MARYSVILLE — A father has admitted to hurting his 4-month-old daughter in Marysville in March.
Kenneth Nason, 33 pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree assault of a child. Earlier charges, from last April, were in the first degree.
The girl suffered brain damage and potentially permanent blindness as a result of her injuries, according to prosecutors. Nason initially claimed he was holding her on the stairs when he tripped and she flew out of his arms. The family was renting a room in Marysville at the time, and Marysville police were contacted when the girl showed up at the hospital.
Medical staff determined her injuries were not accidental.
The amended charges says that Nason should have known the victim was especially vulnerable. He faces up to four years in prison under state sentencing guidelines. However, as part of the plea, prosecutors and the defense attorneys have agreed to recommend a sentence of eight years, which is beyond the standard range.
That hearing is set for March 5 in Snohomish County Superior Court, before Judge Marybeth Dingledy. The plea canceled a trial date set for later this month.
Nason has two previous domestic violence felonies, from 2007. He remains in custody at the Snohomish County Jail. His bail was set at $250,000.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.
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