Mother sentenced to 7 years in child burning

SPRINGFIELD — A 25-year-old Springfield woman convicted of burning her 16-month-old son has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Cara Geckles was convicted in May of aggravated battery to a child causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery to a child causing disfigurement.

Prosecutors say the child suffered burns to the right side of his back and forehead, some of them were second-degree burns.

Geckles told investigators the child suffered sunburns, but doctors at the trial testified that the injuries were not consistent with a sunburn.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield reports Geckles was sentenced Tuesday.