Artesia man sentenced to 18 years for child abuse

ARTESIA — A 25-year-old Artesia man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for child abuse.
Emiliano Barela was sentenced July 30 on one count of negligent child abuse resulting in great bodily harm after he plead guilty on March 5 of this year. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
The sentence stems from a Nov. 24, 2010, incident in which Barela’s 1-year-old son was shaken violently by him in their home in a manner which caused permanent brain damage to the child. The child was taken to Artesia General Hospital, then to Covenant Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Lubbock, Texas.
The child was diagnosed with a subarachnoid injury to his brain. He suffered seizures and was put on a breathing machine shortly after entering the hospital. He now has permanent injuries that, as of this day, still cannot be completely assessed.
Barela stated to detectives he shook the infant for anywhere between 15 seconds to a minute because it would not stop crying, showing detectives how the baby was shaken with a doll. Detectives stated Barela showed some remorse during the interview. He was arrested Dec. 3, 2010.