Mount Sidney man pleads guilty to child abuse

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) – Malik Strother pleaded guilty to child abuse Friday after his daughter suffered an accident that nearly took her life.

On March 21, Strother called the Augusta County Sheriff's Office and other emergency responders because a drowning had been reported at his home. When police arrived, the infant was given life-saving treatment and the baby was eventually flown to UVA Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

ACSO investigators later determined that the child's injuries were not consistent with a drowning accident. Instead, investigators classified the injuries as shaken baby syndrome – which the Mayo Clinic describes as “severe brain injury caused by violent shaking of an infant or young child” – and continued to question Strother.

When authorities questioned Strother about the March 21 incident, Strother changed his version, saying he tripped over a vacuum cleaner cord and fell on his daughter.

Strother was originally charged with child abuse and malicious wounding. The child abuse count was a Class 6 felony, but was changed to a Class 4 felony after Strother pleaded guilty. The malicious wounding count was dropped.

Strother is scheduled to appear in court again on December 19.

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