Grandparents said their granddaughter, now 2, is doing well.
SOMERVILLE -- A Franklin Township man who severely injured his 1-month-old daughter in 2014 when she wouldn't stop crying was sentenced to five years in state prison Friday in Somerset County Superior Court by Judge Kathy C. Qasim.
William Figueroa (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)William Figueroa, 22, of Franklin Park, pleaded guilty to third-degree aggravated assault in March. While caring for his daughter, she had head trauma, a broken thigh bone and bruises on her face, officials have said.
Under the plea agreement, Figueroa must serve two years before being eligible for parole. He has 374 days credit.
He also pleaded guilty to fourth-degree violation of a restraining order. He was sentenced to 18 months on that charge, which will run concurrently.
Figueroa can have no contact with the baby until she is 18 years old and loses all parental rights.
"Our family finally has closure," said Peter Montemurno of Franklin, the baby's grandfather, who was in court with his wife, Patti. "I wish it was more time. He's a dangerous person. He has another child on the way and I pray that child is safe."
His granddaughter, now 2, is currently in good health, he said.
"She's doing real good now but doctors aren't sure what may surface later on," he said. "She's a blessing. She's so much fun. She fills everybody with life."
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Montemurno said the family plans to be at Figueroa's every parole hearing.
Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Murphy prosecuted the case for the state. Assistant Prosecutor Alex Mech handled the sentencing.
Woodbridge-based attorney Eugenie Voitkevich represented Figueroa.
On Dec. 4, 2014, at approximately 8:33 a.m., police and emergency medical personnel responded to a 911 call and discovered the injured baby, said police.The child was immediately taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick to undergo treatment.
Figueroa told police his daughter fell off the bed and began to cry uncontrollably. He said he couldn't get her to stop crying and became frustrated and angry, authorities said.
Then, Figueroa picked her up, cradled her and squeezed her very tightly, whereupon she fell out of his arms onto the hardwood floor, he told police.
After approximately 40 minutes, Figueroa told police he took the infant across the street to a neighbor's home for assistance and called for emergency services.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.