Burnside man pleads guilty to abuse

By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal

July 03, 2008 07:52 am

— A Burnside man accused of abusing two young children in his home pleaded guilty to criminal abuse charges Monday in Pulaski County Circuit Court.
According to Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney David L. Dalton, Kevin F. Beckman Jr., 24, of Burnside, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal abuse and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia Monday in connection with a Feb. 2008 incident.
According to Dalton, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of criminal abuse of two young children, ages three and five, being done in a home that Beckman shared with his girlfriend, Cherish Grigsby, 24, of London.
Grigsby was discovered to be the two children’s mother by investigating authorities.
Sheriff’s deputies discovered severe bruising on the children’s faces and bodies during the investigation – along with marks “consistent with rings upon a belt,” according to Dalton.
A search of their residence also revealed drug paraphernalia, including scales, rolling papers, marijuana cigarettes and baggies with suspected marijuana.
A Pulaski County Grand Jury indicted Beckman and Grigsby in April for criminal abuse and additionally charged Beckman with felony possession of drug paraphernalia.
Beckman said in court that he “participated in the intentional abuse of the children – agreeing that the children received physical injury which would constitute ‘cruel punishment,’” according to Dalton.
Beckman also admitted to the possession of drug paraphernalia.
A seven-year prison term was recommended, and Circuit Judge David A. Tapp set final sentencing for July 24.
A trial date for Grigsby is set for July 21.

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