A Minnesota father has been sentenced to nearly 16 years behind bars after admitting he inflicted catastrophic injuries on his infant twin sons, including 60 combined fractures that doctors say will likely cause long-term developmental issues and may leave one child with permanent vision loss.
Background
Dylan Raymond Strain, 20, lived with the twins' mother, grandmother, and two other children at a home in the 800 block of Woodbridge Street in St. Paul, Minnesota. The couple's twin sons were just 3 months old when the abuse began, according to investigators with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
The Investigation
The investigation began in January 2025 after paramedics transported one of the twins to a hospital showing signs of severe trauma. Medical staff documented "very low oxygen saturation levels," bleeding on the brain, bruises covering his entire body, and rib fractures at multiple stages of healing. That infant sustained 46 fractures total, injuries that investigators determined "caused significant risk of death."
The second twin fared no better. He arrived at the hospital with a healing laceration under his tongue, fractured ribs and clavicle, and hemorrhaging behind both eyes that doctors warned could result in permanent vision loss. That child had 14 fractures.
Ramsey County detectives interviewed the children's grandmother, who provided damning testimony against Strain. "My grandbabies are in the hospital because some man don't know how to control himself," she told investigators. "That man is Dylan Strain." She recounted hearing "hysterical crying" from the twins' room on multiple occasions and later discovering injuries.
The Charges
When confronted by investigators, Strain admitted he was responsible for the injuries. "I was a bit lackluster with my patience with the kids," he said, according to a probable cause affidavit. "Baby crying gets me so worked up." He also confessed to squeezing the twins too tightly and acknowledged striking a wall in frustration.
Strain pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault with great bodily harm. On Monday, Ramsey County District Court Judge sentenced him to 15 years and 10 months in prison—time he will serve consecutive to any other sentences, according to court records.
Key Takeaways
- The twins sustained 60 combined fractures; one infant had 46 fractures alone including injuries at multiple stages of healing
- One child suffers hemorrhaging behind both eyes that doctors warn may cause permanent vision loss
- Strain admitted his frustration stemmed from the babies' crying and described himself as a "bad dad" who "can't handle this"
- The children's mother told investigators that injuries occurred exclusively when Strain was watching or caring for them
- Strain is currently held at Ramsey County Jail, where he has remained since his arrest
What's Next
Strain will serve his sentence through the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The twins remain in the custody of their mother and grandmother, who cooperated with investigators throughout the case.