Man convicted of beating, burning baby

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - 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 (deh-CHEH'-koh) 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 didn't immediately return a phone message.

Online court records do not list a sentencing date.