A Dakota County judge sentenced Lamar James Crump to 17 years and two months in prison for beating his girlfriend's 15-month-old son in June 2014.

A jury convicted Crump, 22, of South St. Paul, in April of first-degree assault. The boy's injuries were so severe that he required emergency brain surgery on June 26, 2014, the day Crump was arrested.

Police found the boy unresponsive at Crump's apartment earlier that morning. He had been in Crump's care for a little more than an hour, according to charges.

A St. Paul doctor said the boy's injuries were likely a result of child abuse. He had swelling and bleeding on his brain and his liver was lacerated in four places. The boy also had bruises on his face, abdomen, back and buttocks, according to the complaint.

A pediatric neurosurgeon said he could have long-term complications like paralysis or impaired mental abilities as a result of his injuries.

"We are pleased to have brought Lamar Crump to justice for this senseless act of violence on a young child," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.

Stephen Montemayor • 952-746-3282