Dad gets "split sentence" for aggravated child abuse involving infant son (Decatur, Tennessee)

Seem that dad TIMOTHY O'NEAL BROOKS got a nice deal: Two 10-year-split sentences for battering his 4-month-old son, who not only suffered brain hemorrhages, but fractured ribs and a fractured femur. Notice that Daddy still got a sweet deal, even though he was on probation for robbery at the time and still denies any wrong doing. So he does only 3 years!

Note that once again we have a felon daddy doing childcare while Mom is working. And once again, we have the same horrible yet utterly predictable results....

But notice that Mom apparently does not have custody anymore, and that the child is living with Daddy's relatives. What the hell is that about? So who is really being punished here? Seems to me that Mom is the one being thrashed for having a work ethic, not the Daddy who beat up a baby. Disgusting. A bit of a double standard, hmm?

http://www.decaturdaily.com/stories/Father-sentenced-for-babys-injuries,68725?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=

Father sentenced for baby's injuries
By Sheryl Marsh

Morgan County Circuit Judge Sherrie Paler gave a Decatur man two 10-year split sentences Thursday for aggravated child abuse involving his infant son.

The split on each sentence places Timothy O’Neal Brooks in prison for three years and on probation for five years. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning that Brooks will serve time on one of the sentences.

Brooks and his attorney Paul Holland had asked for probation during the sentencing hearing.

A jury convicted Brooks in July. Prosecutors argued that Brooks injured his son Jan. 5, 2008, while the baby’s mother was at work. A doctor testified that the child’s injuries were consistent with those of a shaken baby. The 4-month-old suffered brain hemorrhaging, fractured ribs and a fractured femur.

Brooks denied hurting his baby. Holland said the baby was injured prior to his being alone with Brooks. Brooks asked Paler for leniency, pointing to family in the courtroom, who he said supports him.

“If I recall the facts of the case, there’s no question you’re guilty,” Paler told Brooks.

She said he had to experience the consequences and imposed the sentences.

Brooks was on probation for a third-degree robbery conviction, and Paler revoked that privilege as well. He remains in the county jail awaiting prison transfer.

The child is 2 years old, and at the time of the trial he was living with Brooks’ relatives.