Elrod Sentenced to 20 Years in Child Cruelty Case

A MAN ARRESTED FOR BREAKING THE LEG OF A TODDLER WAS SENTENCED TO SERVE 10 YEARS IN PRISON.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, BILLY ELROD WAS FOUND GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE CRUELTY TO CHILDREN AND NOT GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. ON TUESDAY, JUDGE SHEPHERD HOWELL SENTENCED ELROD TO 20 YEARS WITH 10 TO SERVE IN PRISON AND THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION.

THE CHILD’S MOTHER, KATHERINE BARLOW, PLEADED GUILTY AFTER JURY SELECTION TO NEGLIGENCE AND FAILURE TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. SHE WAS SENTENCED TO 12 MONTHS IN JAIL AND 10 YEARS ON PROBATION. BARLOW WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED; HOWEVER, SHE SHE WAS ARRESTED FOR WAITING THREE DAYS TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THE 1-YEAR-OLD.

DOCTORS EXAMINING THE CHILD DID NOT BELIEVE THE BREAK WAS CONSISTENT WITH A FALL, AS ELROD ALLEGED. THEY ALSO QUESTIONED THE NUMEROUS BRUISES FOUND ON THE CHILD’S FACE, CHEST AND ABDOMEN.