Berlin man sentenced to 50 years for child abuse

BERLIN, Md. – A Berlin man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for child abuse.

On February 15, 2021, the Ocean Pines Police Department received a call regarding a one-month-old infant who was at Atlantic General Hospital, suffering from a spiral fracture of his arm. It was determined through further examination that the infant had suffered from several broken ribs, which were old enough to already be healing. Ocean Pines Police and Child Protective Services jointly investigated this incident, determining that the infant’s father, 32-year-old Connor Kelly, had been solely responsible for his care on the days that he suffered the injuries. Investigators also obtained text messages written by Kelly on the dates in question that proved he knew about the child’s injuries and tried to cover them up by providing false information on the cause of the injuries.

Kelly was found guilty by a jury of second degree child abuse, three counts of second degree, and neglect of a minor. He was found guilty by a jury following a week-long trial and was sentenced to a total of 50 years behind bars.