Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON – A Reno County Jury on Wednesday found a Kansas man guilty on two counts of abuse of a child and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child. The case involved two children, ages five and two and half.

However, Brent Burton, 29, Hutchinson, will only be sentenced on the abuse counts, because the two aggravated endangerment counts were alternate counts to the abuse charges.

Authorities say Burton was left in charge of the kids while the mother was away.

He apparently fell asleep and the two kids 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 alleges abuse.

In closing arguments, the defense contended that he was doing his job as a parent. “Letting them run around would be wrong.” said Defense Attorney Bonnie Corrado. She says her client had fallen asleep after working an all night shift. She says when he found the kids were gone, he was panicked and after finding them, he spanked them and sent them to their room.

She also told the jury that the state didn’t have any doctor testify or and expert witness testimony over the bruising. She says she doesn’t believe the state proved their case.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder argued to the jury that they don’t need a doctor to know if its abuse. He told them to look at the pictures and use their common sense. He believes they did prove the case.

Burton’s sentencing is scheduled for September 11.