A Dawsonville man will serve 80 years in prison for his role in seriously injuring an 18-month-old, officials said.
Mitchell Dewayne Samples received a sentence of 120 years, but he will be permitted to serve the balance on probation, according to the final court disposition obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The 29-year-old pleaded guilty Sept. 8 to nine counts of cruelty to children in the first degree, Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Lee Darragh said.
Samples was arrested March 6 and indicted May 8 on 18 felony charges of first-degree cruelty to children and seven felony counts of aggravated battery.
During sentencing, Samples admitted breaking the child’s arm and leg, burning the child’s hands and foot and causing a lacerated liver and spleen. Samples also admitted he didn’t seek medical help, Darragh said.
Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson previously said a felony cruelty charge was levied March 5 against 25-year-old Amy King, the child’s mother, for “cruel and excessive physical and mental pain” by intentionally failing to seek medical treatment.
King was also accused of attempting to straighten the child’s broken leg and lancing burn blisters on the child’s hands. She was indicted on nine felony charges of first-degree cruelty to children, but the case against her is ongoing, Darragh said.
King remains in the Dawson County Detention Center without bail.
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