US couple pleads guilty to beating adopted Russian child

US couple pleads guilty to beating adopted Russian child

On Tuesday the Sweeney couple from Virginia admitted in court that they were guilty of beating their adopted Russian child.

Matthew Sweeney, the adoptive father of the abused Russian orphan, has been given a suspended jail term of 60 days behind bars, which means he would serve the sentence if he commits a crime in the next three years.

The judge cleared Mr. Sweeney of child abuse charges and convicted him of criminal negligence as he had reportedly contributed to the delinquency of a minor.

His wife, Amy Sweeney, has also pled guilty to felony abuse and will be tried on December 6. She may face a tougher sentence. Mrs. Sweeney is accused of using excessive force punishing Daniel.

Officer Jonathan Perok with the Prince William County Police Department, said in an interview with Russia 24 TV channel the boy was habitually beaten up by his mother, both with a belt and an electric cable.

In 2006 they adopted Daniil Kruchin from Russia and gave him the name of Daniel Alexander. In July 2012 the boy, who was 8 then, ran away from home and asked neighbours for help after a beating.

The Sweeneys’ neighbour reported that the boy’s body was covered with multiple bruises. The character of the injuries proved to the local police that the boy was beaten on a regular basis. Daniil was sent into custody with the aim of protecting him from his adoptive parents who were arrested and soon remanded on $20,000 bail.

The charge in that case was filed in January this year. On Tuesday adoptive mother Amy Sweeney pleaded guilty of child abuse which is considered a grievous offence. Her sentence will be passed in December. She is facing a fine and a prison term. Her husband, US Navy officer Matthew Sweeney, admitted complicity in child abuse and received a 2-month suspended prison sentence.

Voice of Russia, RIA