EVERETT — A Lynnwood man pleaded guilty in Everett District Court on Tuesday to assaulting a 4-year-old girl in July.
John Silcott, 28, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and was sentenced to 364 days in jail with all but 11 days suspended. He initially was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault.
A judge ordered Silcott not to have contact with the girl until 2013 and to get counseling if an assessment determines he needs it.
The defendant, who had no previous criminal history for assault, was arrested for investigation of slapping the girl and burning her with a cigarette.
A Lynnwood day-care worker on July 29 became concerned about the girl after she was dropped off at the center. The worker noticed bruises on both sides of her face and a bandage on her left elbow. Beneath the bandage was a circular mark with dark red edges. It was consistent with a burn and roughly the diameter of a cigarette, according to court records.
However, deputy prosecutor Adam Cornell said it would have been difficult to prove that the mark on her elbow was caused by a cigarette burn.
“The standard I’m governed by is whether I can convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.
Cornell said he was confident that he could prove the girl was slapped, which constituted fourth-degree assault.
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