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Man sentenced in beating, drowning

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SANFORD (AP) – A judge has sentenced a Seminole County man to 20 years in prison for beating and drowning his 6-year-old nephew.

Tony Gale Gonsoulin, 49, told deputies that he had repeatedly disciplined Cameron Palmer in the days before his death. The county medical examiner concluded the child died of a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma and drowning.

The boy was hospitalized with severe damage to his brain and other injuries. He was disconnected from life-support and died.

Gonsoulin accepted a plea deal two weeks ago. He pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and agreed to the 20-year sentence.