JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 28-year-old Mt. Vernon man was sentenced Friday to 7 years in prison, after he pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Court to felony aggravated battery to a child under the age of 13 resulting in permanent disability.
Gilbert L. Heck was originally charged in May 2015, with two counts Class X felony aggravated battery to a child resulting in permanent disability, two counts Class 2 felony aggravated domestic battery, and one count Class 3 felony aggravated battery to a child.
Heck pleaded guilty Friday to one Class X charge against him, in exchange for the other charges being dismissed.
According to police reports, Heck was arrested following an investigation into a May 2, 2015 report from Cardinal Glennon regarding a suspected case of child abuse. Mt Vernon Police Detectives and Investigators from the Division of Child and Family Services began to investigate the report.
Prosecutors say sometime between May 1 and 2, Heck held his infant son to his chest until the baby stopped breathing.
Heck has remained in the Jefferson County Jail since his May arrest, with bail set at $200,000.