A 30-year-old Gresham father of three who repeatedly burned his kindergarten-aged son’s back with a cigarette lighter was sentenced to nearly six years in prison this morning.

The boy, who was 5 or 6 at the time, showed up at kindergarten in June and complained that his back hurt. School staff took a look, and discovered about a dozen burns — clearly from a cigarette lighter because the metal imprint of the device was seared into the boy’s skin.

“This was a pretty brutal attack,” said deputy district attorney Lori Fellows told the judge. Fellows, who routinely prosecutes child abusers, described the case as “extreme” even among her caseload.

The boy’s father, Deontae Lionel Johnson, was charged with first-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment in Multnomah County Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, and today, was sentenced to 70 months in prison.

“I realize I hurt a lot of people by my actions,” Johnson said. “I didn’t intend to cause harm to anyone. Unfortunately, it ended up that way.”

Johnson expressed surprise when Judge Kelly Skye told him that he might be responsible for paying child support.

“Why would I be liable for child support?” Johnson said.

Skye explained that even though he no longer has custody of his children, he still could be required to financially support them. Johnson’s son is now in the custody of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

This is not Johnson’s first conviction for a violent act. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and attempted second-degree kidnapping. Two women also have filed restraining orders against him — in 2006 and 2010.

--

; Twitter @