ESCANABA -- A 23-year-old Gladstone man is heading to prison. Allen Joseph Brunette was found guilty of second degree child abuse by reckless act and was sentenced to four to six years in prison with credit for 236 days already served.
His five day trial took place in Delta County Circuit Court last month. Brunette was accused of beating the four-year-old son of his ex-girlfriend. The boy's mother read a tearful statement as Brunette looked on without emotion.
"We are so lucky to still have Caleb here because this could have easily turned out much worse. This violent act by Allen Brunette could have easily resulted in more serious injuries or even death," read the mother.
The prosecutor described Brunette as violent, manipulative, and dangerous. The judge offered Brunette a chance to give a statement before the sentencing was read. He declined.
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