CLAY COUNTY — A 39-year-old Flora man was sentenced Friday in Clay County Court to five years in prison after he earlier had entered an open guilty plea to Class X felony aggravated battery of a child resulting in permanent disability.

Scottie Adler and his 20-year-old wife Miranda Adler were arrested in September 2022 on four counts each of aggravated battery of a child under the age of 13.

Both underwent mental health evaluations with both being found fit to stand trial, but for Miranda Adler there would be special accommodations necessary.

The defendant’s wife and his mother both testified Friday before sentencing, and the defendant provided his own allocution before the court.

Judge Joel Powless handed down the five-year sentence, saying that a sentence of probation would depreciate the seriousness of the crime committed and would be inconsistent with the ends of justice.

Judge Powless ordered 85 percent of the sentence to be served, to be followed by one-year parole.

Adler was given 331 days credit for time already served in the Clay County Jail and on electronic home confinement.

His wife Miranda is next scheduled to appear in her own case on August 25.