|Big Radio News|
A 58-year-old Janesville man who beat a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old with his hand and a belt takes a plea deal in Rock County Court.
According to online court records Rodney Spruill plead guilty last Thursday to two counts of misdemeanor battery. Two additional counts of felony child abuse – intentionally causing bodily harm were dismissed but read into the record.
Judge Jeffrey Kuglitsch sentenced Spruill to 18 months of probation.
According to the criminal complaint, the children’s grandmother uncovered the abuse when she noticed bruising on the 6-year-old. The child told the woman that Spruill had beat him for getting toothpaste on the couch.
The 6-year-old told police that Spruill often beats him and his 2-year-old brother when their mother is gone. Investigators photographed extensive bruising on both boys.
Police reviewed text messages to the children’s mother where Spruill demanded she tell police she was the one who spanked the kids.
