A man accused of tying up, beating and starving an eight-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to first-degree kidnapping.

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Anthony Roberson, 29, of Trenton, pleaded guilty Friday. The Times of Trenton reports Roberson will likely serve 16 years in state prison. He must also testify against his girlfriend, Plesi Nichols.

Roberson and Nichols were indicted last year on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child and weapons charges. They initially blamed each other for the alleged abuse.

The girl suffered severe lacerations from being tied to a banister and doorknob in the South Logan Avenue house, authorities say. They also say she was beaten, and the house where she and Nichols' three other children lived contained feces, rotting food, roaches and rats.

 

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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