Pullman woman who bit her infant nephew is sentenced

The case against a Pullman woman who admitted to biting her infant nephew last winter has been resolved.

Tia Brown, 19, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault of a child in Whitman County Superior Court this June. Whitman County Judge Gary Libey granted her a mental health sentencing alternative in court Friday morning.

The sentencing alternative strikes the charge and withdraws Brown’s guilty plea, Libey said. She has been ordered to serve two years in community custody and receive treatment from a psychiatrist.

It also prohibits her from possessing or consuming alcohol, controlled substances and marijuana.

A protection order was put in place between Brown and the family. She was also forbidden to be around children 13 years old or younger without supervision, according to court documents.

Libey said if she doesn’t comply with the sentencing alternative, she could be sentenced to two and a half to three and a half years in prison.

Brown was arrested in December 2023 for assaulting her 6-month-old nephew while babysitting, according to court documents. The child had been treated at Pullman Regional Hospital for multiple bite marks and bruises all over their upper body.

The documents say when Brown was apprehended, she agreed to take a blood alcohol content test which showed double the legal limit.

One of the victim’s parents provided a statement in court. They said the incident still affects their family, and they are unable to trust anyone to watch their baby.

Brown said in court she is remorseful of what happened. She’s struggled with her mental health and said she’s doing her best to get better.

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.