Daniels Gets Six Years In “Worst Child Abuse Case” After Plea

OCONEE COUNTY, SC - A man accused in what authorities say was one of the worst cases of child abuse has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, but will likely only spend six years in jail.

The attorney for Michael Daniel Jr. told Judge Alex Macaulay that his client wants to maintain innocence, but because of evidence against him, he wanted to enter a plea of guilty to three counts of infliction of great bodily injury and three counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.

Macaulay then sentenced Daniels to 20 years in prison, suspended after six years. Once released, Daniels will be on probation and will have to undergo childcare treatment, drug and alcohol testing and entered into a child abuse registry list.

Today was the first day of the trial, in which Daniels was accused of beating his infant son in April 2008. Investigators say the child suffered 27 bone farctures, bleeding from its mouth and bruises around the eyes and on his body.

When questioned, authorities say that Daniels said he thought the child suffered the injuries when he fell off the bed. Sixteenth Circuit Assistant Solicitor Lindsey Simmons countered the claim by saying the child could not roll over at that age and he could not have caused the injuries. Simmons later said that Daniel confessed that he lost his temper when the child cried and used a doll to demonstrate how he squeezed its ribs.

Daniels attorney said that his client still did not break the child’s legs. Family members have told Macaulay that Daniels is not a violent person, while Daniels aunt says he was being framed. 

Macaulay said it takes patience and unconditional love to have a child and we have responsibilities to those who are least able to care for themselves.

Investigators say it was the worst case of child abuse they have seen. Officers had been investigating since March 3, 2008, after the baby’s mother brought the child to the hospital with bruises.

The child was released from the hospital in April 2008 and was doing fine. The infant was put in protective custody at the time.

Daniels faces 90 years in jail and a $30,000 fine. The solicitor’s office sought the maximum sentence