Grady County Man Sentenced to Serve 10 Years in Federal Prison for Child Abuse

OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, EVANDER DAYLE YANITO, 33, of Grady County, was sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison for child abuse in Indian Country, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On May 16, 2023, a federal grand jury charged Yanito with child abuse. According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, on August 19, 2022, Yanito reported to medical personnel that a two-month-old infant was having difficulty breathing. The infant was transported to a Grady County hospital and later to OU Children’s Hospital, after which law enforcement began an investigation.

While at OU Children’s Hospital, Yanito spoke with members of the Chickasha Police Department and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and admitted to causing bodily harm to the infant victim.

On September 13, 2023, Yanito pleaded guilty, and admitted that he willfully injured and harmed the infant victim, and that he was responsible for the infant victim’s health, safety, and welfare.

At the sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Yanito to serve 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, the court noted the vulnerability of the infant victim and evidence indicating the infant victim was abused on more than one occasion.

This case is in federal court because Yanito is a citizen of the Navajo Nation and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Chickasha Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon prosecuted the case.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.