CLEARWATER - A man charged with breaking his 9-month-old son's leg and fracturing 14 of his ribs has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Gerald J. Williams, 21, pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of aggravated child abuse. Detectives said Williams picked up the baby, who weighed just over 17 pounds, and squeezed him hard enough to fracture the ribs. The squeezing also caused lacerations to the child's liver and kidney, and broke the child's leg, according to an arrest affidavit. The abuse occurred Oct. 21 at Williams' Clearwater residence. Williams became upset after an argument with the boy's mother about transportation for visitation, sheriff's officials said. The child's mother reported the boy's injuries. Williams later admitted to the abuse, the arrest affidavit states. The child spent some time in the hospital and recovered, sheriff's officials said.
