A Palmer man was sentenced on Thursday afternoon for aggravated battery to a child. 20-year-old Darrel Hunter Sanders was sentenced to 18 years with three years of mandatory supervised release, the maximum that the state asked for.  In court, Special Agent with the Illinois State Police, Deanna Horton talked about her interview with Sanders, in which he first said that sometime between February 15th and the 19th that the one-month-old squirmed out of his hands and fell and hit a music box in her play area. After more of the interview, Horton testified that Sanders said there were 3 more incidents as well including one where the baby pinched Sanders' neck and Sanders was surprised and dropped the baby who hit the metal strip separating the rooms. Horton also testified that Sanders confirmed that his emotions got the best of him and that he was covering it up because he didn’t want people to think he was a bad father. Sanders also said in his interview that he was alone with the child each time and that it was intentional and on purpose. State Attorney Mike Havera, says that he is pleased with the sentence.

Havera went on to say that they always confirm with the families as well.

Sanders will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence.