A Bethlehem man was sentenced to a state prison term after admitting assaulting a then 4-month-old child.

Christopher Michael Galick, 30, formerly of Palmerton, was sentenced on Friday by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve three to six years in a state correctional institution on a charge of aggravated assault. In exchange for the plea another count of aggravated assault and one count each of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and endangering welfare of children were dropped. Galick was scheduled to go on trial this week in the county court on the charges but instead entered into a plea bargain.

On May 16, 2017, the baby was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital — Cedar Crest for a possible broken arm.

The doctor determined the baby had an injured forearm, a nonaccidental traumatic injury, that was a result of extreme force.

On May 31, Detective Kevin Buck, of the Palmerton police, interviewed the child’s mother, who said the baby was placed on the changing table before being placed in the crib by the mother, who needed to go to the bathroom.

The mother said she came out after about 10 minutes, and that baby’s father, identified as Galick, was the only other person in the home.

The mother said that while she was in the bathroom, she could hear Galick sighing in disgust as the baby continued crying. Shortly after that, the baby began screaming loudly and crying hysterically.

The mother said she left the bathroom and found Galick in the other room going through his vape box.

The mother said she determined there was a problem with the baby’s arm, and she told Galick that they needed to go to the hospital, but he said they should wait to see if the baby began bruising.

When asked about the injury to the baby, Galick said that he sometimes suffers from mental lapses where he cannot remember what had happened.

Galick said that he would not harm his daughter on purpose and that it was possible that it could have occurred during one of his mental lapses where he suffered an “arm seizure.” He described the seizure as losing control of his arms and sometimes hitting and striking things with such force as to place holes in walls and damage other items.

Police learned that both Galick and the mother had full intentions on leaving Pennsylvania within 48 hours of the interview and leaving the baby in the care of Child Protective Services and foster care.

Galick said nothing during the proceeding except to answer questions by Matika concerning his plea.

Matika also ordered Galick to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendation for treatment, supply a DNA sample, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, pay court costs of about $1,000 and have no contact with the victim.

He was given credit for 44 days already served.