( KNZA)--A Hiawatha man convicted in the March beating death of his 4-year-old son has been given the maximum sentence.
Brown County District Court Judge Jim Patton Friday sentenced 27-year-old Lee Davis IV to nearly 20 years in prison on charges of second-degree murder and felony child abuse.
Davis will be required to register as a violent offender for 15 years after completing his prison sentence.
Davis pleaded no contest to the amended charges in late April. He had originally been charged with first-degree murder.
County Attorney Kevin Hill said he was pleased Davis received the maximum sentence, but wished there was a longer sentence available in such cases under the state’s sentencing guidelines.
Davis’ live-in girlfriend at the time of the incident, 28-year-old Janice Summerford, is charged with aiding and abetting murder in the 2nd degree, aiding and abetting felony child abuse and obstructing apprehension or prosecution. A preliminary hearing for Summerford is set for September.
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