Md. Man Gets 10 Years For Abusing Blind Baby
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A Hagerstown man is serving a 10-year prison term for abusing a blind baby.
The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports Clyde Gatrell III, 21, was sentenced Monday in Washington County Circuit Court.
Gatrell was convicted at a bench trial in July of second-degree child abuse and second-degree assault for fracturing the boy's legs and burning his lips and abdomen with an overheated baby bottle.
Washington County Circuit Judge Donald Beachley says the victim was "incredibly vulnerable."
Assistant Public Defender Jerome Joyce says his client denies having been rough with the child.
Gatrell was acquitted of the more serious charges of first-degree child abuse and first-degree assault stemming from fractures to the baby's arms.
Gatrell had been living with the baby's mother.
The child's grandmother says he's thriving now.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
