Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
MATTHEW LAPLANT, right, listens to an attorney in Gogebic County Circuit Court Thursday during his trial on child abuse charges, while Judge Michael Pope presides.
By RICHARD JENKINS
BESSEMER - Matthew James LaPlant, 37, of Bessemer, took the stand Thursday to defend himself during his child abuse trial in Gogebic County Circuit Court.
LaPlant is charged with one count of first-degree child abuse, two counts of second-degree child abuse and one count of unlawful imprisonment. All four counts are felonies, with first-degree child abuse carrying a potential maximum sentence of up to life in prison.
The prosecution has alleged LaPlant physically abused his ex-girlfriend's then 7-year-old son while they were living together, as we...
