Campton Hills man gets probation in belt-beating
A Campton Hills man accused in September 2011 of beating his daughter with a belt has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to four years probation.
Mathew Gumbel, 35, of the 5N100 block of Oak Hill Drive, had faced a minimum six-year prison term if convicted of aggravated battery of a child.
Instead, he pleaded guilty to felony aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in exchange for prosecutors dropping other charges, according to court records.
This felony carries a possible penalty of two to five years in prison, and if Gumbel violates probation, he could be resentenced in the future.
Kane County Judge John Barsanti accepted the guilty plea, which also requires Gumbel to pay $5,500 in court costs and fines, according to court records.
Gumbel did not have any previous arrests nor traffic tickets in Kane County prior to his arrest, record show.
Gumbel’s defense attorney, Glenn Sowa, declined to comment on the case, saying there were still matters pending in juvenile court.
Gumbel was accused of beating the girl between Aug. 28, 2011, and Sept. 3, 2011, according to court records.
Police said school officials found injuries on the then-6-year-old victim and notified authorities.
Gumbel was accused of beating the girl on both of her legs, lower back and lower buttock, court records show.