HILLSBORO, Ore- On January 30, 2024, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Chris Colburn sentenced Ana Mercedes Miranda to 100 months in prison. On January 12, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty to four counts of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Tampering with a Witness. Senior Deputy District Attorney Andy Pulver prosecuted this case.

The defendant, age 68, gained custody of the victim children in 2017. Beginning in 2018, she began subjecting them to emotional and then physical abuse. One child in particular, aged younger than 10, was regularly deprived of proper nutrition and sometimes tied to his bed during the night. She also regularly inflicted physical abuse upon that child and his siblings. As time progressed, the defendant began using a metal chain and padlocks to bind the child to furniture. 

Authorities became aware of the abuse in April of 2023. During the investigation, sheriff’s detectives found chains and padlocks that had been used to confine the child along with other items used to inflict abuse. The defendant admitted to chaining up one child. She denied any physical abuse, but other children within the home confirmed that it had occurred. 

While in custody awaiting trial, officials learned the defendant was attempting to contact the victims in this case by mail, attempting to dissuade them from testifying against her in court. These actions led to additional charges of Tampering with a Witness.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the efforts of Detective Mark Povolny with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on this case.

Ms. Miranda will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving her sentence.