A South Texas man must serve 30 years in prison for the fatal beating of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.
Lionel Pena was sentenced Monday in Corpus Christi after pleading guilty to felony injury to a child, in a plea deal. Prosecutors say the 34-year-old Corpus Christi man originally was charged with capital murder in the death last August of Juan Joseph Hinojosa Gonzalez.
Authorities say the boy, who had facial and other bruises, suffered a traumatic brain injury and later died.
Court documents indicate Pena initially told police that the youngster hit his head on some furniture while playing. Investigators say later Pena acknowledged twice pushing the boy's head to the floor.
