A 33 year old Branson man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for abusing his infant child last summer.  Under a plea bargain agreement in December, Justin Russell admitted he was guilty to felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

Investigators says Russell’s mother called 9-1-1 August 1st after she reportedly witnessed Russell cover the baby’s face for several seconds after the child started crying.  The woman also told authorities she watched Russell throw the child about 6 feet onto a couch.

Russell’s mother said she didn’t intervene immediately out of fear Russell would hurt her or further abuse the baby.

Russell was charged as a persistent felony offender by the Taney County Prosecutor.

The state board of probation and parole conducted a pre-sentence investigation before a judge handed out Russell’s punishment.

=====(2^nd Version)=====

A 33 year old Branson man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for abusing his infant child last summer.  Under a plea bargain agreement in December, Justin Russell admitted he was guilty to felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

Investigators says Russell’s mother called 9-1-1 August 1st after she reportedly witnessed Russell cover the baby’s face for several seconds after the child started crying.

The state board of probation and parole conducted a pre-sentence investigation before a judge handed out Russell’s punishment.