Couple get prison term for abusing their child

Couple get prison term for abusing their child

Jan 16, 2005

Deseret News

OGDEN (AP) -- A Roy couple accused of forcing their adopted son to sleep in his underwear in a shed during subzero temperatures have been sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Three child advocates told a judge Friday that the accusations against Scott and Catherine Kanani Nelson were part of the worst case of child abuse they had ever seen.

The Nelsons pleaded guilty to third-degree felony child abuse in an agreement that dropped the charges from second-degree counts. Their attorney asked 2nd District Judge W. Brent West for jail time instead of prison, but West said a harsher sentence was appropriate.

While noting Kanani Nelson inflicted most of the injuries, West also reminded Scott Nelson of his former job as a Salt Lake County correctional officer.

"You come from law enforcement, a profession of people we're supposed to be able to turn to for help," West said.

Officials said the plea bargain reached in November was necessary to shield the now 8-year-old boy from having to testify.