A Waterloo man accused of burning a toddler and trying to frame someone for the crime, is going to prison for at least 35 years. Chad Bennett was scheduled to stand trial on several charges last week, but instead reached a plea agreement with prosecutors to avoid a possible 89-year prison sentence.
The 36-year-old Bennett allegedly entered the home of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend in May of 2006 and burnt her two-year-old son, using a cigar. According to court records, Bennett twice broke into the home two months later and while awaiting trial, allegedly tried to have another inmate arrange to destroy part of a meth lab Bennett had at his apartment building.
As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Bennett will spend the next 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to various burglary, assault, and drug charges. He also pleaded guilty to two stalking charges in connection with the series of crimes.