Bluffs man pleas in child abuse case

A plea agreement has been reached with a 34 year old Scottsbluff man charged with the physical abuse of his two month old son. Nathan Pace entered a no contest plea Wednesday to intentional child abuse, a felony that could get him up to five years in prison. He had previously been charged with child abuse resulting in serious injury, a more serious count that has a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison.

Pace's two month old son was transferred to Denver's Children's Hospital with serious head injuries allegedly suffered February 13th. Court documents say Pace was arrested in Aurora, Colorado after doctors at the hospital said the injuries his son suffered were "non-accidental" and the result of child abuse.

The documents indicate doctors determined the infant has a broken clavicle and severe bleeding in the brain from new injuries and several days prior to being checked into the hospital. Pace told investigators he walked by the couch, heard the baby gurgling and shook the infant in an effort to revive him. Pace also said he hit the infant on the back and chest several times and then called 911.

Scotts Bluff County Attorney Doug Warner says while the child's injuries initially appeared serious, he recovered quickly and was released from the hospital shortly after a week of being admitted. Warner says the mother told him recently the child is doing well and his development is on par with his twin.

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