Kearney man accused of harboring child abuse fugitive sentenced to 60 days in jail

KEARNEY, Neb. — A Kearney man charged with helping to conceal his fugitive son will spend time in jail.

Buffalo County District Court Judge John Marsh sentenced 55-year-old Clint Ellingson to 60 days in jail and two years probation on Thursday. Ellingson originally faced two accessory to a felony charges. The state dropped one count and lowered the other to misdemeanor false reporting as part of a plea deal.

Police arrested Ellingson in Nov. 2023. Investigators say he helped harbor Jacob Ellingson, who was accused of child abuse and evaded arrest for a week in Sept. 2023. The younger Ellingson was originally charged with intentional child abuse and child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. The charges relate to injuries that sent a one-year-old girl to a hospital. He also made a plea deal and is set for sentencing on Feb. 6.

Clint Ellingson’s jail term will be split. Court documents say he will serve 15 days starting Jan. 10, 2025 and another 45 days starting Dec. 1, 2025. The second stint could be waived by the court if recommended by the probation officer.

As terms of probation, Ellingson must complete 200 hours of community service and complete therapy and classes on responsible thinking and social values.