Grain Valley father of 4-month-old boy whose fingers were chewed by ferret pleads guilty

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. - The Grain Valley father of a baby who lost seven fingers after a ferret attack was back in court today. Ryan Waldo pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of endangering a child.

On January 10, 2011, police were called to the home of Ryan and Carrie Waldo. Their 4-month-old son was found with only three fingers.

This case could have gone to a jury, but Ryan Waldo opted to plead guilty and let the judge decide. He won't be serving any time, but he will be on probation for two years, which includes 40 hours of community service.

Also, Waldo cannot have any direct contact with children under 17, unless there is consent from the parents. Plus, he is required to successfully complete parenting classes.

Waldo declined to comment, but afterward his attorney, Dan Miller, told us he believes the case should have stayed in family court instead of going to criminal court.

"All Ryan Waldo did was go to work come home with a paycheck and take care of his family and never even lifted a hand in corporal punishment to those children, let alone intentionally expose them to what they went through," Miller said.

Carrie Waldo pleaded not guilty last year. Her trial is scheduled for June 3.