On Thursday, Christopher Earl Terry, 41, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Terry previously pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse.
Documents contained within the public record indicate that Terry seriously injured the victim, a small infant, while babysitting him at a residence within the Gila River Indian Community. The victim suffered significant physical injuries.
Reaching the decision on the sentence, Judge Humetewa rejected Terry’s contention that he injured the child during rough play, and instead noted his “egregious” conduct.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department.