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Sandra Yi Reporting A Tremonton babysitter will spend time in prison for child abuse. A judge today sentenced Britney Johnsen to one to 15 years.
It was an emotional day in court in Brigham City. Johnsen made a tearful apology to the victim's family, and asked the judge to "have mercy" on her.
Johnsen said she was sorry for what happened, and for the pain she caused the family of Ryker Bennett.
Ryker was only 20 months old when Johnsen kicked him in the stomach last fall.
She first told Ryker's parents he had fallen off the bed. Ryker had broken ribs and internal bleeding. He spent 37 days in the hospital.
Ryker may need more medical care in the future, but is doing well. His family says they can move on now.
Julie Knighton/ Ryker's Grandmother: "We're going to put it in the past. It's not going to be the focus of our life. Our life is around Ryker."
A diagnostic evaluation found Johnsen to be sincerely remorseful and the judge agreed. Today was the first time she has apologized for what happened, and her words meant a lot to the Bennett family.
Johnsen will receive counseling. The judge says she may also serve part of her sentence in the Box Elder County Jail. He says, that would be in the best interest of her family.
