MONROE - An Evansville man whose 6-year-old son fractured his skull in an ATV accident in April entered a plea deal this week that dismisses a felony charge of child abuse and a misdemeanor charge of negligently operating a motor vehicle.
Shawn Franklin Constantini, 38, pleaded no contest Sept. 15 to a misdemeanor bail-jumping charge in Green County Circuit Court. He is to serve one year on probation with the conditions that he undergo alcohol and drug counseling, pay all court fees and not drink.
The case stems from an accident at a birthday party on April 26 at a farm on Horan Road, Town of Brooklyn. Constantini and his son, Tyler, were riding an ATV together on the property.
According to court records, Constantini had his son sitting in front of him and was speeding when the ATV crashed into a utility pole. The boy sustained a skull fracture and was hospitalized.
A responding officer at the scene reported that Constantini smelled of alcohol and had glassy, bloodshot eyes. Constantini admitted to drinking a couple of beers that afternoon, in violation of a court order out of Rock County.
Constantini told the officer he had control of the ATV when his son pressed the thumb-controlled accelerator. He "could not stop fast enough" to avoid hitting the utility pole.
The boy's mother wrote in a statement to the court that he was hospitalized three days and two nights and had to miss school and has been unable to attend his regular before- and after-school care.
Unrelated charges of child neglect are still pending against Constantini in Rock County.
Shawn Franklin Constantini, 38, pleaded no contest Sept. 15 to a misdemeanor bail-jumping charge in Green County Circuit Court. He is to serve one year on probation with the conditions that he undergo alcohol and drug counseling, pay all court fees and not drink.
The case stems from an accident at a birthday party on April 26 at a farm on Horan Road, Town of Brooklyn. Constantini and his son, Tyler, were riding an ATV together on the property.
According to court records, Constantini had his son sitting in front of him and was speeding when the ATV crashed into a utility pole. The boy sustained a skull fracture and was hospitalized.
A responding officer at the scene reported that Constantini smelled of alcohol and had glassy, bloodshot eyes. Constantini admitted to drinking a couple of beers that afternoon, in violation of a court order out of Rock County.
Constantini told the officer he had control of the ATV when his son pressed the thumb-controlled accelerator. He "could not stop fast enough" to avoid hitting the utility pole.
The boy's mother wrote in a statement to the court that he was hospitalized three days and two nights and had to miss school and has been unable to attend his regular before- and after-school care.
Unrelated charges of child neglect are still pending against Constantini in Rock County.