Indiana man gets 140 years in fatal child abuse case

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SOUTH BEND — A South Bend man convicted of murdering his 10-year-old son and beating the boy's two brothers has been sentenced to 140 years in prison.

St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Jane Woodward-Miller sentenced Terry Sturgis Thursday on 14 counts including two counts of criminal confinement, nine counts of battery and two counts of neglect of a dependent.

A St. Joseph County jury deliberated less than four hours May 24 before finding the 35-year-old man guilty in the Nov. 4 death of his son, Tramelle, and the beating of two other sons, ages 14 and 9 at the time.

Prosecutors alleged Sturgis habitually beat and burned his three sons for years.