JEFFERSON COUNTY — The sentencing of a 29-year-old Mt. Vernon man convicted of the severe beating of a 3-year-old boy has again been continued, this time due to a defense witness being unavailable.

Michael Belmont was scheduled to be sentenced Friday, but that hearing was postponed until 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Defense attorneys are arguing that Belmont should receive a new trial. If that motion is denied on Thursday, however, he will be sentenced.

The defense further argues the prosecution did not offer sufficient evidence tying the defendant to any “great bodily harm” sustained by the victim, and that jurors were confused by many of the jury instructions.

He was convicted March 1, of Class X felony aggravated battery of a child resulting in permanent disability, Class  felony aggravated battery of a child resulting in bodily harm and Class 2 aggravated domestic battery for the November 2014 beating of the toddler that caused the child severe brain injuries, including a stroke.

A Class X felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, with four years mandatory supervised release. Probation is not an option for a Class X conviction, and 85 percent of the sentence must be served.

Belmont’s wife, Kaysie Belmont, pleaded guilty in February to a reduced charge of reckless conduct for not seeking immediate medical attention for the child. She was sentenced to 30 months’ probation.