Porter, Girard Plead Guilty to Aggravated Battery to Their Child

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Published on January 19 2018 10:51 am
Last Updated on January 19 2018 10:51 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The Cowden couple charged with aggravated battery to a child for injuries received by their infant daughter have pleaded guilty and each has received prison time.

20-year-old Devan Porter was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison, while 21-year-old Kayla Girard received a five-year sentence.

Illinois State Police Zone 5 Investigations was asked by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office on November 1, 2016 to investigate unexplained injuries to the then-12-day-old girl brought into HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. State police said at the time that the injuries were consistent with child abuse. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was contacted to assist in the investigation.

On November 9, Zone 5 agents arrested Porter and Girard.

The two have remained in Shelby County Jail since their arrests. Each was given credit for 443 days served in jail while awaiting disposition of their cases. They were each ordered to pay their court costs.

Porter and Girard were each originally charged with a Class X felony count, which could have led to lengthier prison sentences. The charges were amended to Class 1 felonies, punishable by four to 15 year sentences, prior to the guilty pleas being entered.