By Pat Culverhouse

A former Springhill city police officer was sentenced to a term of active probation after entering a guilty plea Friday to a charge of cruelty to a juvenile.

David Silvers received a sentence of three years in prison, suspended, with probation for three years in 26th Judicial District Court in Minden. Judge Mike Nerren handed down the decree which included an order prohibiting any contact with the victim or the victim’s family.

According to terms of the plea, Silvers must surrender any documentation or certifications allowing him to work as a law enforcement officer. He was also ordered to pay probation fees.

Statement of charges noted between Nov. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2022, Silvers “…did intentionally or criminally negligently mistreat any child under the age of 17 whereby unjustifiable pain and suffering is caused to said child.”