HUTCHINSON – A Kansas man, found guilty of two counts of abuse of a child, was granted community corrections on Friday.

District Judge Tim Chambers sentenced Brent Burton, 29, Hutchinson, to three years in prison, but then granted three years community corrections.

He then sanctioned Burton with 60-days in the Reno County Correctional Facility as part of the corrections. That will be worked out with his corrections officer as to when he will actually have to serve that time.

This coming after the judge denied a request for a new trial by the defense because of statement made at trial by a witness that the children involved were placed in foster care.

Defense Attorney Bonnie Corrado noted to the court that in fact the kids were taken from the mother and Burton was allowed to care for them. Judge Chambers having already ruled on this issue denied the request.

In May of 2014, Burton was left in charge of the two children, ages 5 and 2, while the mother was away.

He apparently fell asleep, the children left the home and were across the street in a park near a busy city street.

Burton woke up and could not find the kids. He then went looking for them and after finding them in the park apparently punished them to the point that the state said it was abuse.

In closing arguments, the defense contended that he was doing his job as a parent.