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Man Accused Of Child Abuse Accepts Deal

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The husband of a wealthy Orlando doctor pleaded no contest Monday afternoon to abusing his adopted son. The child's nanny first reported the abuse in 2008 to Eyewitness News.

Brian Kloosterman's wife, Dr. Stephanie Schriener, was not in court Monday with him. However, Kloosterman's attorney's told the judge the couple has undergone counseling and they and their five kids are living under one roof. They're also under the Department of Children and Families' supervision.

Kloosterman managed to avoid jail time.

"To the charge of child abuse in the third degree, how do you plea?" asked the judge.

"No contest," Kloosterman said.

Brian Kloosterman accepted a plea deal of two years probation. The Orlando man could've faced five years in prison had he been convicted of abusing his adopted son at trial.

Kloosterman's former nanny accused the dad of abuse. She told investigators she witnessed it on a video baby monitor in May of 2008.

"On the taped portion of this exchange Mr. Kloosterman is shown approaching the child and what could be argued, placing his weight on the child's chest," said

That videotape was never made public and won't be without a trial. But, Kloosterman's attorneys insist prosecutors would've had a hard time proving child abuse with the video.

"A nanny saw something that looked like something, but it was nothing when the child was examined," said attorney Will Jay.

"It's not something he wanted to put his family through, so he took the deal," said attorney David Bigney.

The State Attorney's Office is still investigating a second allegation of child abuse involving another child that stems from an incident in August 2007. One of Kloosterman's children suffered a head injury. To date, no charges have been filed in that case.

www.wftv.com
2009 Mar 30