Plea hearing set in child-beating case

CLINTON - A man accused of beating his son in Clinton is expected to enter a plea agreement on Thursday.

Michael VanHyning is scheduled to appear in DeWitt County Circuit Court at 10:30 a.m. His hearing time was changed from 1:30 p.m. because of schedule conflicts.

VanHyning is expected to plead guilty to one or more charges involving the physical abuse of his 16-month-old son, Cameron, last June. VanHyning faces three Class X felony counts of aggravated battery to a child and three Class 2 felony counts of aggravated domestic battery.

Cameron VanHyning, who was adopted by Michael VanHyning and his wife, Jodene, was taken to an emergency room June 23 with severe internal injuries. He was transported to a Peoria hospital where he remained until his release to state child welfare workers.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled later. A class X felony carries up to 30 years in prison, while the sentence range for a Class 2 felony runs from probation to seven years in prison.