Walla Walla man arrested on suspicion of child abuse against 3-month-old girl
By Dan Thesman on Friday, April 17th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – A Walla Walla man made his first court appearance Thursday, facing multiple felony charges after allegedly confessing to a pattern of violent abuse against his 3-month-old daughter that left her with a crushed sternum and a fractured skull.
Dallas Fletcher Granger, 27, told Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge Brandon L. Johnson, during his first court appearance, that he was guilty and did not want a public defender. Despite his request, the court appointed counsel to represent him. Bail was set at $500,000 with no 10 percent cash alternative.
Fletcher Granger was arrested Wednesday after the victim was brought to Providence St. Mary Emergency Department with severe bruising and bilateral skull fractures. The infant was later airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where doctors discovered further injuries, including fractures to both arms, bilateral rib fractures, and a crushed sternum.
The Walla Walla Police Department said Thursday that Fletcher Granger was the victim’s father. WWPD also said that the child remains under medical care and that the case remains under investigation.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Fletcher Granger initially claimed he tripped over a cat while holding his daughter. However, police say he later admitted to striking the baby with “heavy blows” from a closed fist because he was “angry and upset” that she had been crying for 40 minutes.
WWPD detectives developed probable cause to arrest Fletcher Granger on five counts of first-degree child assault. His arraignment is scheduled for next Thursday at 9 a.m.
