Elmira man gets year in jail for throwing meat at girl

A 25-year-old Elmira man was sentenced Monday to a year in county jail for throwing a piece of frozen meat at a 5-year-old, fracturing the girl's skull.

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Kenneth C. Groves pleaded guilty in August to second-degree attempted assault. Initially, he was charged with second-degree assault, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.

Groves threw the frozen package of meat at the girl after arguing with the girl's mother Feb. 13.

The man has said he accidentally struck the girl, who had to be placed into a coma to treat the fractured skull.

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The girl is expected to make a complete recovery, police said.

Groves has been in the Chemung County Jail since being arrested in February. He will be given credit for time served and could be released from jail as early as next month.