Joseph Shawn Walker, age 28, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison with five years of probation after being adjudicated by Circuit Judge John F. Simon as guilty of aggravated child abuse, according to a press release from State Attorney Bill Eddins Office. Walker previously entered a plea to the charge on September 18, 2015.
Stemming from an incident which occurred on June 3, 2014, Walker was convicted of committing acts of physical abuse against a six month old female child. The child’s skull was fractured which caused extensive bruising to both sides of the child’s head and orbits of both eyes. Bruising was also reported on the child’s lip, jaw, ears, chest and abdomen, according to the press release.
Walker initially told investigators with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office that the child was injured when a baby swing fell on her. However, Walker later admitted that he struck the child and injured her when he became irate because she was irritable.
The child has improved and is continuing to receive physical therapy as a result from the injuries she sustained in the incident.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton resident gets 20 years for child abuse