Former Educator Takes Plea Deal After Strangling Child

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS – This afternoon, at the Tom Green County Court House, a former educator pleaded guilty to the charge of strangling a child younger than fifteen, a State Jail Felony.

Boyd Ross Brotherton, 32, was charged with abandoning an endangered child with imminent bodily injury on April 1, 2016. He caused serious bodily injury to the child after applying pressure to the victims neck and cutting off the child's circulation, Brotherton's indictment reads.

Brotherton neglected to take the victim to an emergency room after the attack. His bond was set at $7,500.

Today, Brotherton sat in the 340th Judicial District Court with the Honorable Judge Weatherby presiding over his trial. Brotherton's charge is punishable for no less than 180 days, and not to exceed 2 years in State Jail.

“[Brotherton] how do you plead to the charge?” Judge Weatherby asked the defendant.

“Guilty,” Brotheroton replied in a reserved tone.

The State offered the defendant five years deferred adjudication with probation and a fine of $1,000.

Additionally, Brotherton had his inactive teaching certificate revoked, and promised not to apply for any educational positions in the future.

Judge Weatherby summarized the additional criteria as followed: 1) the defendant gives up his teaching license, 2) he won’t reapply for his license at any time in the future, 3) he won’t practice any educational roles, certified or uncertified, for life.

Brotherton's probation also restricts him from leaving Tom Green County for a five year period.