Dad found guilty of assaulting infant son; baby had more than 2 DOZEN broken bones (Mankato, Minnesota)

Dad ROBERT LEE HECK has been been convicted of assaulting his infant son, who suffered over 2 down broken bones. He will be sentenced in August.

http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S1553379.shtml?cat=10219

Posted at: 05/10/2010 10:45 PM
By: Jill Kasparie

Father Found Guilty of Child Abuse

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Prosecutors call it one of the most complex cases they've ever had to try.

After a two-week trial, a father is now convicted of abusing his infant son, breaking more than two-dozen bones.

After more than three years, the case of 30-year-old Robert Lee Heck of Mankato is coming to a close.

Over the weekend Judge Kevin Lund deliberated, and Monday Lund found Heck guilty of assaulting his infant son.

"It has been incredibly draining. It has been a long process for three years to bring this defendant to justice," said Associate County Attorney Julie Germann.

These court papers reveal the findings of Judge Kevin Lund.

He explained them in a tense courtroom calling the crime brutal and numbing.

"The court's ruling determined that he did in fact assault the child causing the 25 fractures," Germann said.

Back in early 2007, Heck's infant son, Jordan, was brought to the hospital with fractures.

It was shortly after a surgery to separate him from his brother.

They were conjoined twins.

"Now that the verdict is in, He was in a state of shock. It looked like, from my opinion, he was befuddled and didn't know what was going on and was handcuffed and jailed," said Heck’s Defense Attorney Bill Wright.

Now Heck's defense is saying this won't be the end.

"We don't agree with the judge's decision. I anticipate Mr. Heck will appeal the decision and the sentence, once he gets sentenced," Wright said.

On the other hand, prosecutors say they'll push for a strict punishment.

"It’ll certainly be greater than 132 months that I’ll be asking for," Germann said.

Heck's sentencing has already been set for early in august.

As for those little boys, Jordan and his brother are now doing well.

They're now living in foster care.