BENTON - Russell E. Kelley, 43, of Whittington pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery of a child on Tuesday and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The charge is a Class X felony, and Kelley must serve 85 percent of the prison time, according to Franklin County State's Attorney Tom Dinn.

Kelley was charged with beating his 4-month-old son on Jan. 2.

Kelley's child was taken to the emergency room at Franklin Hospital in Benton and was bleeding from the mouth, according to a new release from Dinn.

The treating physician noted considerable bruising on the head and body of the infant and alerted authorities. The infant also was found to have broken ribs.

Kelley admitted to police that he had struck the child with open hand and fist because he had became frustrated with the child's crying, Dinn said.

Tara Fasol