A White City man has been sentenced to five years in prison for assaulting a pregnant woman.

Bobby Wayne Millard, 30, of the 3400 block of Avenue C, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of fourth-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and coercion for the March assault on the pregnant woman.

He beat the woman with a wooden baton and/or furniture items. He was originally charged with a string of more serious offenses, including first-degree assault, according to an indictment.

The case involved an extended assault over multiple days. Millard and the victim were involved in a relationship in which they were toxic to each other, said Jackson County Deputy District Attorney Lacie Nelson.

The baby has since been born, she said.

Millard also pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault in a separate case in which he and a co-defendant were accused of assaulting and injuring a man in May 2014.

A third case involving methamphetamine possession was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Court-appointed defense attorney Jeni Feinberg said Millard has mental health issues that now have been identified, and he is receiving treatment. She said he may have been self-medicating with illegal drugs.

Feinberg said Millard has been behaving well in the Jackson County Jail, where he helps in the kitchen.

He has been lodged in jail since March with no bail.

Feinberg said Millard is grateful that he has been able to receive treatment and now has aspirations for his future.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Timothy Barnack encouraged Millard to behave well in prison and take advantage of treatment programs.

"If you keep on this road, your kid won't be very old when you get out," Barnack said.

Feinberg said Millard's family members will help ensure he keeps receiving mental health treatment and has a stable living situation after he is released from prison.

Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or valdous@mailtribune.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous.