By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 41-year-old Alabaster man who was originally charged with willful child abuse will spend the next couple of years on probation after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge on Aug. 13.

Phillip Wayne Workman, who lists an address on West Navajo Drive in Alabaster, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of third-degree domestic violence in front of Shelby County Circuit Judge Daniel Crowson. Through a plea agreement with prosecutors, Workman’s charge was lessened from his original felony count of willful child abuse.

Crowson sentenced Workman to two years of probation supervised by Shelby County Domestic Violence Court, during which he must complete the state’s batterers intervention program. He also must complete a substance abuse treatment program.

The Alabaster Police Department arrested Workman, on Dec. 21, 2017, and charged him with one felony count of willful abuse of a child younger than 18.

The arrest came about a month after a Nov. 28, 2017, incident was reported to the Shelby County Department of Human Resources, who investigated the case and determined criminal charges were warranted, Alabaster Police Lt. Grant Humphries said previously.

The 10-year-old victim in the case was treated and released from the hospital after the incident, but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Willful abuse of a child is a Class C felony, and could have carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

According to a civil case filed against Workman by the Shelby County Department of Human Resources in May, DHR currently is caring for the victim in its foster care program, and is seeking child support payments from Workman.

As of Aug. 20, the civil case was still pending in Shelby County Child Support Court.