Inset: Reece Sorenson (Facebook/Law&Crime Network). Background: Salem Hospital in Oregon, where Reece Sorenson's infant twins were treated (Google Maps).
A former Oregon schoolteacher and U.S. Army veteran is headed to prison for abusing his 6-week-old twins and breaking their bones, including an incident where he shoved a "burp rag" into one of the babies' mouths so hard she started bleeding and was "unable to suckle properly," prosecutors say.
Reece Sorenson, 29, of Salem, was sentenced Friday to five years and six months in prison after he pleaded guilty in July to five counts of criminal mistreatment in the first degree, according to court records.
The Marion County District Attorney's Office announced Sorenson's sentence in a press release, stating that his charges stemmed from "multiple events" leading up to his arrest in August 2025.
"At that time, Salem police detectives were called to Salem Hospital where Sorenson and his wife had brought their six-week-old twin children to the emergency room because one of the infants was unable to suckle properly," the DA's office said. "While at the hospital, medical staff observed several concerning factors on both children."
According to prosecutors, medical staff determined that the first infant had four broken ribs in addition to the mouth injury. The second infant had broken collarbones, 12 broken ribs, and bruising around the eyes, which is "highly concerning for child physical abuse, especially in non-mobile children," per the DA's office.
While it was unclear how many times each child had been injured, differences in healing made it clear that the abuse occurred over more than one incident, according to prosecutors.
"Sorenson later admitted to using aggressive force on multiple separate occasions on both babies, causing the infants' significant injuries," the DA's office said. "Additionally, the investigation showed that he forcefully inserted a burp rag into one of the infant's mouths to stifle cries, which caused the initial infant's injury preventing the child from sucking properly."
Police reported that Sorenson admitted to squeezing the girl's twin brother with his forearms and pressing his knuckles into the child's stomach to stop him from crying, according to local CBS affiliate KATU. Sorenson told police he stuffed the burp rag into his daughter's mouth to stop her crying and screaming because he was tired and "at his wit's end."
Sorenson's wife allegedly corroborated the abuse allegations and told police that Sorenson was rough and aggressive with the children, which made her feel like they weren't safe to be alone with him.
Hospital staff reported that both infants were "ravenous and starving" when fed, and were severely malnourished. The babies reportedly flinched when approached for feeding.
Sorenson was arrested and charged with multiple counts of criminal mistreatment in the first degree for "causing physical injury." Prosecutors said they sought a 125-month prison term for Sorenson while he faced a possible sentence ranging from probation to approximately 148 months.
Sorenson resigned from his math teacher job at Parrish Middle School following his arrest. He was reportedly a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve.
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