An Albert Lea man who pleaded guilty to physically abusing his 8-year-old son last month was placed on probation for two years Wednesday in Freeborn County District Court.

Dakota Charles Dresser, 25, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to one count of gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail — 176 days were stayed, and he was given credit for four days served.

Court documents state Dresser was charged after a Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office detective received a Department of Human Services report on March 16.

The report indicated six or seven red scratch marks ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches from the inside of the victim’s elbow to the top of his wrist.

A second report indicated the victim had been hit on his left arm with a telephone cord by Dresser. Injuries on the victim’s arms corresponded with marks from a telephone cord, the report states.

Dresser admitted that while he was watching his children while his wife was at work, he became angry after his child reportedly continued to lie to him.

He admitted hitting him with a cord and acknowledged the child had been hurt when he struck him, as well as admitting striking the child was unreasonable and excessive.