COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater man with a history of drug and abuse crimes was ordered to serve between 18 and 75 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections on Monday in Branch County Circuit Court.
27-year-old Nicholas Platek was sentenced after he entered a no contest plea on March 31 to a charge of first degree child abuse as a third time habitual offender in connection with injuries sustained by a one year old girl in the fall of 2020.
Charges of second degree child abuse and possession of methamphetamine were dismissed in exchange for his plea. Platek was also given credit for 487 days already served in jail
According to court documents, Coldwater Police were dispatched to a residence in the city in early October of 2020 to assist in a potential child abuse investigation.
Police found out that the youngster suffered a severe head injury, a severe laceration to her lip, bruised organs, bruising on multiple parts of her body and several burns. She was airlifted to Bronson Hospital for treatment but the youngster is said to be a paraplegic.
Platek’s criminal past includes convictions in 2017 of third degree child abuse and for being in possession of a controlled substance less than 25 grams.
Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien said in a statement that in determining what, if any, plea should be offered in this case, his office considered multiple factors with the ultimate goal to seek justice for those affected by the Defendant’s action.
He added, “Considering the above, the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines, potential appealable issues with the delay in bringing this case to trial due to Covid-19, and the legal difficulties and emotional difficulties in waiting to bring this case to trial, this Office found that pleading as charged to the most serious crime with a recommended sentence of 18 years to life was an appropriate resolution of this case.”
Comments