A Cozad man has pleaded guilty to child abuse for shaking an infant hard enough to cause brain damage.

The Associated Press reports that Cameron Hovey’s decision to change his plea was part of an agreement with prosecutors.

The 23-year-old Hovey is accused of shaking a 41/2-month-old child vigorously last summer.

Hovey told police that he shook the child last July because he panicked when it appeared the baby had stopped breathing.

Hovey faces up to 20 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6.