A Newberry father was sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 2009 death of his seven-month-old son.

Ronald Jackson Padgett Jr., 32, formerly of 333 Player St., Newberry, was charged in May of last year with homicide by child abuse in the May 5, 2009, death of Isaiah Russell Ray Padgett.

Ronald Padgett was arrested shortly after Isaiah Padgett’s death.

Due to a pathologist not being able to determine if Isaiah Padgett was intentionally or accidentally smothered, the charges were lowered to unlawful neglect.

But Newberry Police Captain Chuck Counts said that Isaiah Padgett was in good health, and should not have died.

The baby had a previous fractured skull and a cracked right clavicle (collar bone). Both injuries were about a month old.

Last week, Ronald Padgett pleaded guilty to the unlawful neglect charge, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Counts said he told the judge in the case “anything less than 10 years would be a travesty of justice.”

The father was sentenced to the full 10 years in prison on the charges. He will be given credit for the past year he has been in jail.

There are also outstanding charges against Ronald Padgett in Kentucky for failure to pay child support.

Isaiah Padgett’s mother, Jessica Lynn Hart, 24, also of Newberry, faces charges of unlawful conduct to a child for the arm and skull injuries to the baby.

Following the death, Newberry Police Chief Jackie Swindler says his office interviewed a number of people, who said that Hart knew her child was hurt, but did not get medical treatment for him due to her fear of an investigation by police or the Department of Social Services.

Investigators say Hart told others the baby was crying or hurting and “held” his injuries.

Hart was not at home at the time of her son’s death.

Two older children of Hart’s were removed from the home May 5, 2009 and placed into DSS custody.

Hart has yet to go to trial for the charges against her.