A 33-year-old Central City man, has been sentenced to four years in prison for giving a 'severe' spanking to a one-year-old child in October. Darrell Keith Casey of North Park entered a guilty plea to an aggravated battery charge that accused him of repeatedly striking the child on the buttocks.

Darrell Keith Casey

At the time the charge was filed, Marion County State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach said Casey had gone 'way overboard' with the spanking. The child was taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia to be checked for injuries.

Casey was given credit for time already served in jail and ordered to pay court costs. His request for a furlough before beginning to serve the sentence was rejected by the judge.