Milwaukee man gets 10 years in prison for burning 2-year-old with lighter 'because he was mad'

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Lamont Powell, a man convicted of burning a 2-year-old boy with a lighter "because he was mad," learned his fate in court Tuesday, Mar. 3. 

Powell was sentenced to 10 and-a-half years in prison and six years of extended supervision. 

Investigators say Powell burned Melo Harrell's body 30 times with what appeared to be a lighter on his cheek, armpit, chest and stomach. 

Officials say Powell first said it was an accident, but later admitted to doing it in purpose because he was mad at the child's mother who didn't answer her phone. 

Powell was ultimately charged with two felonies in the case after a plea deal. 

Melo's biological father gave an emotional testimony during sentencing.

"My son is not even two feet tall, your honor, didn’t even weigh 32 pounds and you picked me up and you burned him over 40 times on his body with different types of things. It was a different type of burn on his cheek and there was another one where it looks like you held him with a cigarette lighter to his face," said George Harrell Sr. victim's father. 

Melo's biological father also requested a restitution hearing and that will be April 9. 

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