Kenneth Lain sentenced for neglect in Mercedes Lain case

MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. -- The father of Mercedes Lain was sentenced on a charge of neglect of a dependent Friday morning. He was sentenced to the maximum.

Kenneth Lain was sentenced to 2 years and six months in prison. He has credit for 186 days already served.

Lain pleaded guilty in January as part of a plea agreement.

Before he was sentenced, Lain spoke to the court. He said he is making plans in his recovery program and has a recovery plan that includes the Life Treatment Center and inpatient rehab. Once he is released, he said he wants to focus on his recovery.

the mitigating factors the court considered when imposing the sentence was Lain’s acceptance of responsibility and attempt at personal recovery. An aggravating factor was his previous felonies that include non-support of a dependent and neglect of a dependent.

When imposing the maximum sentence of two and a half years, the judge said Lain should continue working on his recovery.

Click here to read our past stories about the murder of Mercedes Lain