JEFFERSON COUNTY — Sentencing has been delayed for a 30-year-old Mt. Vernon man convicted in Jefferson County court with aggravated battery of a child resulting in permanent disability.

A Jefferson County jury found Ronald Phillips guilty in September of the March 2017 incident that led to a Class X felony charge against him for aggravated battery to a child under the age of 13 causing permanent disability.

Phillips was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday on that conviction but according to Jefferson County State’s Attorney Sean Featherstun, a defense request to continue the hearing was granted and the sentencing was delayed until December 5.

A Class X felony is punishable by between 6 and 30 years in prison.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, they were notified  March 31, 2017, by staff at St. Mary’s hospital in Mt. Vernon that a child was in their Emergency Room and they suspected the child was a victim of shaken baby syndrome.

Following an investigation by sheriff’s deputies and the Department of Children and Family Services, a warrant was issued for Phillips’ arrest with bail set at $500,000.

Phillips has remained in the Jefferson County Jail since his arrest.