BANGOR, Maine — A man from Carmel was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but six years suspended for beating a three-year-old boy in January 2022.
Damion Myers, 24, told the child to "fight like you've never fought before." The assault was taped on a camera system in the house and was played in the courtroom Friday.
Family members were emotional hearing the three-year-old squeal and whimper while seeing Myers slam, tackle and swing the young child by his ankles.
Justice Ann Murray said Myers' actions were "outrageous" and "sadistic."
Murray sentenced Myers to four years of probation, in addition to serving time in prison. His conditions for probation include that he must not have any contact with the young boy or any unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16.
Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Lynds, who is an Assistant District Attorney for Penobscot County, said it is a rare scenario to find video evidence showing child abuse.
"I honestly think they [state police detectives] saved a child's life in this case. If they had not found that video, then I think there is a very high probability that the child would be dead already," Lynds said.
Myers has been at the Penobscot County jail since February 2022. The time he's served will count towards Friday's sentencing.