Published: May 06, 2008 10:04 pm         

London man pleads guilty to child abuse

Henry Profitt accused of pushing 3-year-old off porch

Henry Profitt, who was facing child abuse and assault charges for allegedly hitting a 3-year-old and pushing her from a porch, pleaded guilty Thursday in exchange for a two-year prison sentence.

Proffit appeared before Judge Greg Lay for a pretrial hearing, during which the agreement was presented to the court. Under the terms of the agreement, Profitt, who was indicted on charges of first-degree criminal abuse, second-degree fleeing or evading police and fourth-degree assault, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree criminal abuse and fourth-degree assault.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorn-ey Terry Beckner, who prosecuted the case, said in return for Profitt’s guilty plea, he will likely be sentenced to two years in prison on the abuse charge and 12 months on the assault charge.

“Because the assault charge is a misdemeanor, that sentence will be served concurrently with the sentence for abuse,” Beckner said.

Profitt will be formally sentenced at 11 a.m. May 27 in Laurel Circuit Court.

In Aug. 2007, London police officers were called to a home at 596 Reams Lane to investigate a complaint that a child had been assaulted. London Police Officer Randy Medlock said when he arrived on the scene, the child had abrasions on her face and blood coming from her mouth.

Medlock stated that the child’s mother said Profitt had hit the child and pushed her down the steps on the front porch of the home before fleeing from the scene on foot.

With assistance from London Police Sgt. Derek House and Officer Bryon Lawson, Medlock began searching the area for Profitt.

He was located about 30 minutes later, hiding in the woods, Medlock said.

Profitt was arrested and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

The child was taken to Saint Joseph-London for treatment. Sharon Hershberger, director of public affairs at the hospital, said the child was treated and released.