Bessemer man sentenced to prison in child abuse case

By RICHARD JENKINS

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BESSEMER - A Bessemer man convicted of child abuse last month will serve at least six years in prison.

Gogebic County Circuit Judge Michael Pope sentenced Matthew James LaPlant, 37, on three felonies Tuesday.

"The normal victim impact paperwork does not adequately address the depth of suffering, mental or physical, (the victim) has endured and will have to recover from for many months and years," Chief Assistant Prosecutor Tracie Wittla said, quoting a letter written by the now-8-year-old victim's court-appointed guardian. "(The victim) does not w...