Hutchinson ? A Hutchinson man has received the maximum sentence for abusing his two children and forcing them to live in “deplorable conditions” over several years.

Reno County District Judge Tim Chambers on Friday sentenced Rodney Wilson, 52, to nearly six years in prison for the abuse, which occurred from 2003 to 2005. Wilson, a former corrections officer, sobbed as Chambers read the sentence.

A Reno County jury convicted Wilson in January of abusing his 15-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter but declined Dist. Atty. Keith Schroeder’s request to double the maximum sentence.

Wilson’s wife, Lori, is scheduled to face a jury for identical charges on April 24.

The Wilsons were arrested in May after a monthlong investigation. The charges alleged that the couple “intentionally inflicted cruel and inhuman corporal punishment upon the two children,” Reno County Dist. Atty. Keith Schroeder said.

Authorities said the Wilson children were malnourished and forced to endure “deplorable” conditions, including confinement in small spaces.

Chambers had the authority to hand out either prison or probation. Several supporters lined up to weigh on the judge before his ruling, including one of the victims.

“I’d like to start out by saying that I love my father very much,” the boy said. “I have totally forgiven him for what he did. … I don’t think his actions were enough to send him to prison.”

Chambers then explained why he found it necessary to issue the sentence.

“I have an obligation to the community that when someone commits some atrocious and heinous crime as has been committed upon these two children that someone is going to be held responsible,” Chambers said. “And you will suffer an appropriate punishment.”