Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Joseph Ault, 29, of Akron, will spend 1-1/2 years in prison and pay a $100 fine for the Class D felony battery charge.
A jury found Ault guilty of the charge after hearing testimony that he beat his 6-year-old son with a belt, leaving welts on the child.
"I learned a lesson from this," said Ault, who took the stand and said he acted out of fear after finding his child playing with a lighter.
"I didn't want to hurt my son or have him start a fire," Ault said. "I did not have any intention to injure my son."
During the hearing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton asked Ault about a criminal recklessness charge from several years ago.
Ault said he was arguing with his ex-wife and she was leaning into his truck. He said he did not want to get out of the truck because he was afraid he would hit her. Ault said he tried to drive away and knocked her over, causing bruises and scrapes.
"I did not try to run her over," Ault said.
Hampton also brought up past welfare calls to Ault's home. One inquiry related to his son having a bloody nose in the bathtub and one instance when his son had a bump on his nose. Ault said both instances were accidents.
Ault said he took anger management classes at the Bowen Center and that he learned from the incident.
After the sentencing, Judge Reed informed Ault of his right to appeal the jury's verdict. Ault said he wished to make an appeal.
