Judge sentences Fresno man to 19 years to life for beating death of 3-year-old son

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A judge has sentenced Donald Nelson to 19 years to life in prison for the 2014 beating death of his three-year-old son Zion.

Officers said Nelson admitted to spanking the boy for defecating on himself. But Zion's older brother told investigators a more sinister story. The five-year-old had old injuries of his own when they said his dad asked him to lie about the beating he heard.

Stay with Action News for more on this developing story.