WALLACE — A Silver Valley man was found guilty Friday on multiple felony child abuse charges following a weeklong trial. 

Anthony Banker, 39, was convicted of four counts of injury to a child and one count of destruction of evidence. 

The jury reached its verdict at 7:30 p.m. Friday after approximately four hours of deliberation. 

The charges stem from a May 2025 child abuse investigation involving Banker and Sage Bryant, the mother of the victim. Authorities alleged the pair abused Bryant's 4-year-old son over an extended period before the child was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. 

The investigation began after LifeFlight transported the child from Shoshone Medical Center to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Medical professionals discovered two separate brain bleeds, a blood clot, extremely low sodium levels and extensive bruising covering the child's body. 

Banker and Bryant were arrested after investigators determined both had abused the child at Banker's residence near Prichard.  

Earlier this year, Bryant pleaded guilty to two felony counts of injury to a child and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining charges under the condition that Bryant testify against Banker in future proceedings. 

According to Shoshone County Prosecutor Ben Allen, Banker and Bryant initially fabricated a story stating the child had fainted after a warm bath as an explanation for the injuries. But medical professionals immediately became suspicious when the account did not match the child's injuries. 

Further investigation uncovered additional evidence that law enforcement initially described as extremely "unsettling." 

"Detective Josey Stemrich with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office worked diligently with Prosecutors to obtain multiple search warrants to seize Bryant and Banker’s cellphones, where Stemrich found videos of the minor child in a car seat with a blindfold and handcuffs placed on him, audio of the child being abused, and evidence the child was being sprayed with cold water while fully clothed and shivering as a punishment," Allen explained. 

In the lead-up to trial, Banker and his defense team sought to have charges dismissed and filed an interlocutory appeal. Judge Regina McCrea ultimately denied the appeal and allowed the case to proceed to trial. 

During the trial, jurors heard testimony from 16 witnesses, including seven medical professionals and Bryant. Additional evidence included audio recordings of Banker discussing the child's behavior and bathroom habits, as well as recordings made while abuse was being inflicted on the child. 

Bryant's testimony was central to the state's case. 

"She (Bryant) explained that Banker portrayed her child as disrespectful and unruly, where he taught her to inflict various punishments on the child, including excessive spanking, isolation with restraints, continuous physical exercise, and abusive cold showers," Allen said. 

Banker's defense relied heavily on shifting sole responsibility for the acts to Bryant. But the prosecution countered that she had already accepted responsibility for her part and that Banker's control and manipulation of the situation ultimately escalated the abuse committed by both parties.   

Prosecutors also presented evidence that Banker attempted to hide his cellphone during the investigation. Once it was recovered, investigators found text messages between Banker and Bryant discussing punishments inflicted on the child, as well as the delay in seeking medical treatment after the child began experiencing symptoms associated with the brain bleeds. 

On the final day of trial, Banker exercised his Fifth Amendment right and declined to testify in his own defense. 

As the verdict was read, Banker began sobbing. As he was taken into custody, he experienced symptoms of a panic attack and required time to rest, drink water and regain his composure before he could be escorted from the courtroom. 

"I should have testified," Banker yelled as he was led out of the courthouse.      

Under Idaho law, each felony injury-to-a-child conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. A conviction for felony destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence carries a maximum sentence of five years. If ordered to serve the sentences consecutively, Banker could face up to 45 years in prison. 

Banker's sentencing is scheduled for November.  

During the trial, it was reported that the young victim has made significant progress in his recovery and is in the custody of his grandmother. 

    Banker