A DeKalb County father who said a Bible verse led to him beating his 5-month-old son to death has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Benjamin Edetanlen’s defense was that he adhered to Proverbs: 13, which taught him “Spare the rod. Spoil the child.” But prosecutors maintained Edetanlen went too far and his attempt to discipline his son ended up in the child’s death in 2004.
According to the AJC, Edetanlen beat his 5-month-old, his 2-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, and used the Bible as justification.
Originally faced with a murder charge, Edetanlen pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter and several counts of child cruelty. He has been ordered to stay away from his other two children once he is released from prison.
His wife also faces charges after she allegedly did nothing to stop the abuse.
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