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Ark. man sentenced for chaining girl to dresser

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Updated: 6/13/2012 6:01 pm

Published: 6/13/2012 5:59 pm

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) - A man accused of chaining his 5-year-old daughter to a dresser has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

A Benton County Circuit Court judge sentenced David Bridgeman after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to false imprisonment, permitting abuse of a minor and endangering the welfare of a minor. The Benton County Daily Record reports public defender Sarah Ashley and prosecutors reached an agreement.

Bridgeman was arrested Dec. 2 after a woman who was staying with the family told authorities she woke up to find the girl crying and chained to a dresser. Bridgeman says he bound her because she sleepwalks and had gotten into chemicals in the kitchen.

His wife, Jana, also pleaded guilty but wasn't sentenced.

Ashley declined to comment. Jana Bridgeman's attorney, Billy Webb, declined to comment.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of FOX16 - Breaking News and Weather to Plan Your Day for Little Rock and Central Arkansas

mark3086 - 7/25/2012 3:27 AM

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I dont want to post the obvious but no one else seems to have wondered if the girl sleep walks, why not get a baby gate duh !!! Not a chain, ppl moan about chaining the dog, chains are not for children, what if she needs to pee? Thats neglect. I dont think the sentence is fair given murder averages about the same but he doesnt deserve children

splashy - 6/15/2012 12:19 PM

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A chain? Why couldn't they sleep with her having her tied to them with something soft? Seriously, what is wrong with them?

ladyofthehill - 6/14/2012 4:14 PM

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It's okay to abort one full term but,don't spank or try to protect your child.Maybe he had her best interest at heart and maybe there was a better way i don't know.I have always heard poor people have poor ways.

Tired - 6/14/2012 6:50 AM

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ever saw a mom with one of those child leashes...just wonderin

guard - 6/14/2012 12:31 AM

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Thank you Jury, 18 years may help him. This is so sad for the 5 year old child, we will deal with both of them as "tax payers" in the near future. I pray for the child.

Butch54 - 6/13/2012 6:59 PM

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A sleep walking child. What could we do. I understand how this could be bad in case of a fire. Would putting a lock on the door and bars on the windows be any better. Looks like it would be the same to me. How do we protect our children. I'm thinking have them and drop them off with law enforcement. Or take them to the state capital for them to raise. Lord please put parenting back in the hands of parents. Has the crime rates shown the government has done any better in the last 50 years.

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