Fredericksburg man gets suspended sentence for burning child

A 26-year-old Iowa man charged after a 2-year-old child was found burned by hot water will not go to prison.

Judge Richard Stochl on Tuesday sentenced Nathanael Rochford of Fredericksburg to a five-year prison term, but suspended the sentence. Rochford said he was "ready to move on and to do the right thing." Rochford will spend up to a year in a West Union residential facility.

Rochford had entered an Alford plea, not admitting guilt but agreeing evidence likely exists for a conviction. Rochford was charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, but entered the plea to a lesser charge of willful injury.

Authorities said the charge was filed after the child was taken to a hospital with injuries consistent with scalding or burning from hot water.

-- Associated Press