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NILES — A Niles man who threw his three-month-old daughter on the ground was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

Daniel Jay Pickens, 26, of Niles, pleaded guilty to the child abuse charge and was sentenced to 15 years to 45 years in prison. He has credit for 56 days already served and must pay $258 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Dec. 8, 2024 in Niles. According to statements made in court Monday, Pickens threw his three-month-old daughter on the ground.

The victim’s mother spoke before sentencing. She asked that Pickens receive the maximum sentence possible for his actions. She said that her daughter has sustained injuries that could affect her for the rest of her life.

Assistant Prosecutor Jerry Vigansky said that Pickens failed in his most important duty as a father, to protect his child from danger.

“Our role is not to become frustrated when a baby cries,” he said.

“This was horrendous, horrible and unspeakable,” he added. “Her life has changed forever. No sentence he gets here will be long enough. This was one step short of the next charge which would be murder … It is my belief that he never should have contact with kids again. His actions were brutal and unspeakable.”

Defense attorney Carri Briseno said Pickens has always taken responsibility of his actions and agreed to plead guilty rather than go to trial.

“He is prepared to accept whatever outcome he gets,” she said. “He wants his family and his daughter to know that this is something he will never forgive himself for. He has a lot of remorse for his actions.”

Pickens apologized for his actions.

“I’m sorry, I take responsibility for my actions,” he said. “I regret what I did, I wish I could take it back.”

Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein noted that the baby’s treatment at the Mott’s Children Hospital saved the little girl’s life.

“Nothing I can do today can help you heal or make you whole,” he told the baby’s mother. “I’m truly sorry for what your little girl is going through.”

He said that the term “shaken baby syndrome” is a misnomer as the baby was grievously abused and thrown to the ground. He likened the baby’s injuries to what she would have gotten if she had been in a car accident without a seatbelt. He noted that legislators have proposed laws that would require child abusers to be registered like sex offenders.