Man admits assaulting wheel-chair-ridden father

Serial assaulter Robert Sunchild had a busy day in Hill County District Court Friday as he changed a not guilty plea to guilty, admitted to violating parole and drunkenly beating his father, who was in a wheelchair, and received a four-year sentence with another sentencing pending.

Sunchild, represented by attorney Randy Randolph, was in court for a session that was supposed to present testimony about a drunken assault against his father. When the incident with his father occurred, Sunchild was on parole for an assault in 2014. Sunchild denied the new allegations Jan. 4.

Sunchild reversed the denials Friday and admitted violating probation. He also asked State District Judge Daniel Boucher to change his not guilty plea to guilty in the felony case filed in 2015.

Boucher revoked Sunchild's four-year suspended sentence which he was serving for the 2014 assault on his girlfriend and committed him to four years to the Department of Corrections. He credited Sunchild with 182 days served.

Before the sentencing in the petition to revoke Sunchild’s suspended sentence, Probation and Parole Officer Katie Kuhr testified before the court and recommended the court revoke the suspended sentence.

Kuhr said Sunchild was a risk to the community, supporting the statement with a list of violent acts by Sunchild that started from the time he was a juvenile.

Randolph relayed Sunchild's request to enroll in boot camp. He told the court that Sunchild knows it will be hard, but his client wanted to take responsibility for his actions and get on a better path.

Officer Kuhr was asked about the recommendation and she said Sunchild would have to first be screened to see if he is eligible for boot camp.

Boucher recommended Department of Corrections screen Sunchild for placement in the boot camp program.

Sunchild's sentencing hearing for the 2015 charges is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m.