BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A Bismarck man accused of hitting a 5-month-old child and fracturing the infant's skull has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Authorities say Franklin Crone Jr. punched the infant in the back of the head as he was assaulting the child's mother. The child was flown to Minneapolis for brain surgery.
Crone told the court he was "horrified" by his actions, but striking the infant was an accident.
Crone pleaded guilty earlier to felony child abuse and misdemeanor assault.
Judge David Reich on Monday ordered Crone to pay more than $1,900 in restitution, seek mental health treatment and register as an offender against children.
The judge told Crone he is prohibited from contacting the woman he assaulted and all children in that family.