A man who broke a 3-year-old’s leg and left her and her sister with multiple bruises was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday, Sept. 15.
Nathan S. Melton, 32, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to three counts of cruelty to children. Thursday was the second time Melton’s case had come before Judge John Flythe for sentencing within as many months.
In August, the attorneys brought Flythe a plea agreement that would have limited any potential prison term to five years. After hearing of the victims’ injuries, Flythe told them and Melton that five years wasn’t enough time.
On Thursday, Assistant District Attorney Jarryd Brown said the new agreement was for a cap of 10 years imprisonment.
On Nov. 11, 2018, Melton and his girlfriend took her 3-year-old to the doctor, after Melton stopped to pawn an item for cash and then buy alcohol and cigarettes. The doctor insisted they take the child to the hospital, where it was determined the child’s right leg was broken, and she had new and old bruises. Her 4-year-old sister also had new and old bruises, Brown said.
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The mother initially said the girls were playing rough and the 3-year-old fell off the bed. She pleaded guilty to child abuse charges Dec. 21, 2020, and was sentenced to 20 years on probation. She was jailed for 15 months before making bond. It was another year before Flythe lifted the bond condition that prohibited her from being with her children.
Brown told the judge the victims still suffer from PTSD and require counseling. One of the reasons behind the plea agreements was to spare the children from testifying, which they were terrified of doing, Brown said.
Melton was in a bad place in his life in 2018, his attorney Chad Medlin said. After he was released on bond he did a 12-month rehabilitation program. Melton, a high school graduate, has been steadily employed.
The judge accepted the negotiated plea agreement and imposed the maximum prison term possible, 10 years. Flythe added an addition 30-year probation term to be served after the prison sentence.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
