Bazetta Township man sentenced for death of 4-year-old boy

Scott Walker

A Bazetta Township man has been convicted of charges related to the death of a four year old boy.  Scott Walker pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Nicholas Partin in June of last year.

Authorities say Walker punched the little boy in the stomach, causing internal bleeding, and the death of the child. Walker has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, which is the maximum sentence allowed by law.

The charge was reduced from the original counts of murder, felonious assault and endangering children, which could have brought Walker a sentence of life in prison.

Walker's girlfriend at the time of the death, Jennifer Light faces up to ten years in prison when she us sentenced next week on charges of involuntary  manslaughter and obstructing justice.

Even though Light wasn't  accused of inflicting the deadly punch, the prosecutor on the case says she allowed the abuse to happen and failed to follow up with medical treatment for his injury.

When questioned by police, Light originally told authorities her son had ingested carpet cleaner and he was treated at a nearby hospital. After following up with medical officials, police learned that the story was a lie.