Man Sentenced For Paralyzing Daughter

Girl Will Be Confined To Wheelchair For Life

UPDATED: 7:53 p.m. EDT April 14, 2003

AKRON, Ohio -- A man was sentenced Monday to 16 years in prison for causing severe injuries to his 26-month-old Russian adoptive daughter.

NewsChannel5 reported that Gerald Hyre, 32, of the Kenmore area of Akron, also was found guilty of endangering his daughter and his 30-month-old Russian adoptive son while they were in his care.

Hyre's daughter is paralyzed due to injuries that severed her spine. Hyre was apparently watching the children while his wife was at work. He made inconsistent claims that he either dropped her on her crib or on the floor, according to officials.

Hyre pleaded guilty to the charges last month. He apologized for his actions before sentencing Monday, saying, "I never intended for this to happen."

Judge Jane Bond gave Hyre the maximum sentence on the two second-degree felony convictions.

The adoptive daughter is now being raised in a foster home, and the son is in the care of a relative.

The girl's foster mother said the child is suffering from both severe physical and emotional problems from the beating and will be confined to a wheelchair for life.

Source: www.weathernet5.com

Publication date: 2003 Apr 14

Cases: Kelsey Hyre