Man convicted of beating, burning girl

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) - A 20-year-old Sheboygan man accused of beating and burning his girlfriend's young daughter has reached a plea agreement.

Samuel A. Kroening pleaded no contest this week to a felony charge of child abuse. In return, prosecutors dismissed one count of second-degree reckless injury and downgraded another to child abuse.

The agreement means Kroening faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison instead of 27 years.

District attorney Joe DeCecco says prosecutors agreed to the deal because they couldn't prove Kroening intended to hurt the baby.

The 10-month-old suffered two broken ankles and burns to her face and body.

Kroening's lawyer declined to comment Friday.

Online court records do not list a sentencing date.