Father pleads guilty to bruising, choking daughter in 2017

Published 11:43 am Monday, October 21, 2019

A Clay City man pleaded guilty to wanton endangerment charges after his child showed up at school with bruises around her throat two years ago.

Austin Moore, 30, of Clay City, was arrested for first-degree criminal abuse in 2017 by Winchester Police. Thursday, Moore pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of first-degree wanton endangerment.

According to court documents, officials at Shearer Elementary School called the police on Nov. 16, 2017, after a 5-year-old child showed up at school with bruises around her throat. The child said her father grabbed and choked her.

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Moore reportedly told police he was wrestling with the child the night before and may have grabbed her and scratched her throat, according to the citation.

As part of the plea agreement, Moore would be sentenced to one year in prison, but the term would be diverted for three years. He was also ordered not to use corporal punishment on any of his minor children.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14 before Clark Circuit Judge Brandy Oliver Brown.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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