Ozark man sentenced to 20 years for child abuse

OZARK – A man whose family said he pleaded guilty despite being innocent to abusing his stepson was given a maximum prison sentence after more than three hours of testimony against him.

Dale County Circuit Judge Ken Quattlebaum sentenced Eddie Ledbetter, 24, to 20 years in prison on Tuesday for aggravated child abuse in which Ledbetter’s 7-year-old stepson, Chad, suffered fractured ribs, cracked teeth, burned feet and infected insect bites while in custody of Ledbetter and the boy’s mother, 28-year-old June Vicky Henry.

Henry, who is also charged with aggravated child abuse, is set to stand trial in February.

Dale County Chief Sheriff’s Investigator Harvey Mathis said statements from Henry showed Chad suffered severe punishment from Ledbetter, including being forced to drink hot sauce when he was disciplined and made to stand in a corner all day.

Mathis said Henry also said Chad was beaten by Ledbetter and hit with boxing gloves.

Ledbetter initially blamed the injuries on a trampoline incident, Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams showed through testimony.

Medical personnel said Chad also could have suffered from starvation.

“Chad will never be the same, and while Mr. Ledbetter didn’t get all he deserved for what he did, he received the maximum sentence under our law,” Adams said. “If (Henry) wants a trial, we’ll give one to her.”

Ledbetter’s attorney, Fred Livaudais, argued any comments from Henry regarding Ledbetter’s case were “self-serving.”

Ledbetter’s father, Ronnie, stood by his son. He said Eddie pleaded guilty because he had no other choice.

A possession of a controlled substance charge was dismissed per Eddie’s plea, according to court records.

“If I believed he did it, I woulda said ‘lock him up,’ but I don’t. You stay in jail for a year and it wears you down. He asked for a lie detector test but couldn’t get one. He was appointed an attorney for maybe $2,500 for a case another lawyer said would cost me $47,500,” Ronnie said.

“I just believe the system – whether right or wrong – should be the same for everybody, not just because of who you know or how much money you have.”