A Clark County man was sentenced to nearly a decade in prison for his infant son’s brain injuries, which he claims he did not inflict.

Brent Hessing, 26, pleaded guilty in Clark Circuit Court in September to one count of first-degree criminal abuse for a 2016 incident that left his infant son with head and brain injuries.

Hessing was sentenced to nine years in prison Thursday. Clark Circuit Judge William Clouse denied probation in the case.

According to court records, the child was taken to Clark Regional Medical Center on Jan. 16, 2016, and then to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for further treatment. Winchester Police said Hessing gave inconsistent stories during his interviews and gave no indication anyone else was to blame for the child’s injuries.

Police said Hessing was alone in the residence with the infant, who was seven months old at the time, and another young child at the time of the incident. He also said he left the baby unattended.

In September, Hessing testified under oath that his wife admitted to him in Lexington that she had shaken the baby because she was aggravated.

Hessing denied causing any injuries to the child.

Winchester Capt. James Hall said there was no evidence to suggest the child’s mother was involved. No one else was charged in the case.

Hessing was originally charged with first-degree assault, but it was amended as part of the plea agreement.