COEUR d'ALENE, Idaho - A north Idaho man entered a plea agreement Friday for abusing his 20-day-old son.
James Blanchard was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison. One year of that sentence will be retained, meaning he needs to go through treatment in that time. After that, an amended sentence will be handed down.
In the plea agreement, Blanchard never admitted he physically harmed his son, rather, "Placed his son in a situation that his health and well-being was endangered".
The mother of Blanchard's son says she left their son Noah with James one night last July and
that is when paramedics were called to their home where they found the 20-day old baby not breathing.
Noah survived, but a doctor who evaluated him said he will likely never walk, and have severe developmental issues for the rest of his life.
Although no one testified, prosecutors stated they had witnesses who could describe Blanchard shaking his son, even slamming him down in a crib at times.
In the sentencing Friday, Blanchard spoke to the judge saying quote, "I'm trying to better myself and get my life on track."
We tried speaking with Blanchard's family, but they declined.
Blanchard has no prior criminal record.
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