Bristol County father sentenced to prison in Fall River court after infant son suffered disabling head injury

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced that a 31-year-old man was convicted after a bench trial before the Honorable Michael Cahillane and was sentenced in the Fall River Superior Court on Tuesday.

John Silva of Attleboro will serve a State Prison sentence of 3 to 4 1/2 years followed by 2 years of supervised probation for Assault and Battery on a child causing Serious Bodily Injury (reckless theory) and Reckless Endangerment of a Child (failing to seek prompt medical attention). After trial, the Commonwealth requested a sentence of 5 to 8 years to the state prison, and the defendant requested 1 to 3 years.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Scott.

On the morning of September 9, 2021, Silva was home alone in Attleboro with his five children who were all under the age of five, including infant twins who were six weeks old.  While in the care of Silva, one of the infant twins sustained a serious head injury.  The defendant initially contacted his wife, the mother of the child who was at work, and indicated that a sibling had dropped a plastic toy on the head of the victim.  The maternal grandmother of the victim, at the behest of the victim’s mother, went over to the home and did not report concern.  No medical attention was sought at that time.  The victim’s mother arrived home from work at approximately 3:30 p.m. on that same date and immediately noted that the victim was in need of medical attention.  The victim was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence where it was discovered that the victim was suffering from a skull fracture and bilateral brain bleeds.  At trial, Dr. Abigail Keough testified that the brain injury suffered by the infant victim was the result of abusive, non-accidental head trauma.  The victim suffered permanent disabilities due to the injuries she sustained.

“I’m pleased the court convicted the defendant of recklessly causing serious injury to his infant daughter. These types of cases can be difficult to prosecute because there are often no witnesses. Fortunately, the child has been placed in a loving home and has made great strides in her recovery,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.