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Sandra Yi ReportingDiana Adams: "I trusted Mike, I loved mike. I trusted him with everything I love, my daughter and her kids."
An emotional day in court as a family faces their son's abuser. The victim suffered serious injuries at the hands of his mother's boyfriend. That man will spend one to 15 years in prison for the crime.
The victim's family says they trusted Michael Barber. He was charming and likeable. Then, they say, on March 2nd of last year, he betrayed that trust, "in the worst way possible".
JenaV Adams: "I feel good about it. I feel really good about it."
The Adams family celebrated a long awaited day in court.
Diana Adams, Victim's Grandmother: "Relief. This thing has been dragged out for 14 months."
Family and friends cheered after the judge sentenced Michael Barber to prison, with no credit for his 439 days already served.
Diana Adams: "There's always that doubt in the back of your mind that justice isn't going to be done, and today it was."
Little Dominick Adams has come a long way since March of last year. That's when Barber lost his temper and beat the boy, who was only two-years old.
JenaV Adams: "He has told me that Mike grabbed his ankles, and in Dominick's words, 'I hit the wall.'"
Barber called 911, then disappeared. An anonymous tip led to his arrest more than a month later. Today Dominick is blind in one eye and has a scar on his head, a constant reminder of what happened.
Diana Adams: "My grandson has nosebleeds. He has headaches, kids tease him. Adults ask him. This will never be over for Dominick or JenaV."
In court, Barber, who has an extensive juvenile and adult record, asked for forgiveness. He said what happened has made him want to change. He asked the judge for probation to prove his intentions, but his words fell on deaf ears.
JenaV Adams: "It doesn't mean anything. He's never shown any or admitted any guilt up until today."
Adams says she fears retaliation when Barber gets out of prison. But for now, she feels some sense of relief.
JenaV Adams: "Regardless of the sentence Michael received, my son paid the ultimate price. But he won't be able to hurt another child again."
In the past year, Barber has gotten married. As he was led out of the courtroom, his wife stood up and yelled out that she loved him.
As part of his sentence, Barber must also pay for Domick's medical bills.
