A St Joseph man will not be allowed to see his children without permission of his probation officer after pleading guilty to felony child abuse. Steven Pflugradt, 33, has been accused of violence against his children three times and their mother once.

Pflugradt pleaded guilty to the latest charge on December 11.

In court documents, officials accused Pflugradt of assaulting the victim, a child under 12, by slapping him on the face, grabbing him around his throat and punching him in the torso.

Buchanan County Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg ordered a seven-year prison sentence, but suspended imposition of that sentence, ordered 120 days shock time, and placed Mr Pflugradt on probation for five years. Judge Kellogg ordered several special conditions of probation. Among them, Mr Pflugradt is ordered to have no contact with his children without prior approval of his probation officer, once counselors agree it is appropriate.

Mr Pflugradt must undergo an evaluation for anger control and follow any recommendations made in that evaluation. He must write a 250 word essay on the effect his actions have had on his children, his wife and his self. He must undergo drug and alcohol screening, and stay out of any business that primarily sells alcohol. He is not allowed on the premises of any casino, gambling house of pool hall. Mr Pflygradt must maintain employment once he gets out of jail, pay the costs of the action, and observe a curfew between the hours of 9pm and 6am.