Man convicted of allowing abuse of daughter

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) -- A Creek County jury recommended a 35-year prison sentence for a Sapulpa man who permitted the abuse of his 3-year-old daughter. <br><br>Thomas G. Watters, 40, was found guilty

Tuesday, April 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) -- A Creek County jury recommended a 35-year prison sentence for a Sapulpa man who permitted the abuse of his 3-year-old daughter.

Thomas G. Watters, 40, was found guilty of allowing his common-law wife to physically abuse his daughter. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 31.

His common-law wife, Jennifer Earl, 27, also known as Jennifer Watters, pleaded guilty to three counts of child abuse and was sentenced in September to three life sentences to run concurrently.

The toddler was hospitalized in February 1999 in Tulsa after suffering numerous injuries, including broken ribs, other broken bones and puncture wounds in her feet.

Prosecutors said the girl continues to recover in a foster home.

Watters testified that he was working three jobs and had no idea about the abuse.