A South St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to a vicious attack that left a Forest Lake infant with 37 fractures.
Mark James Nelson, 32, pleaded Wednesday to a charge of felony first-degree assault in Washington County District Court. After his arrest for the Aug. 19 attack, Nelson admitted that he squeezed the 6-week-old boy until his ribs broke, according to criminal charges filed in Washington County.
"The injuries this poor child suffered were absolutely horrendous," County Attorney Pete Orput said Thursday. "We are pleased to be able to bring some justice to this child and this family."
Nelson had told police he was dating the baby's mother.
Hennepin County Medical Center reported that 22 of the child's ribs were broken and that doctors found bruising to his liver and lungs and trauma to his eyes, Orput said.
Sentencing before Judge John Hoffman was set for March 23. Orput said his office would seek the maximum sentence of eight years, seven months in prison.
KEVIN GILES
