HAMILTON — A 17-year-old boy who was convicted of hitting the driver of a car with a piece of concrete was sentenced Thursday to an indefinite term in the Butler County Juvenile Rehabilitation Center.

        Juvenile Court Judge David Niehaus also gave the boy a suspended one-year sentence in the state juvenile detention system. The rehabilitation center is a locked facility.

        The boy was convicted Oct. 7 of felonious assault and criminal damaging. The Enquirer is not naming him because he is a juvenile.

        On July 27, a piece of concrete smashed through the windshield of a car driven by John Gentile, who was heading north on Kenworth Avenue near Franklin Street in Hamilton. The concrete struck him in the head and caused serious injuries.

        Mr. Gentile, 52, of Hamilton, underwent five hours of surgery to repair a tear in the lining of his brain and to reconstruct his forehead and sinus passages.

        The boy will be released from the rehabilitation center when he successfully completes the program, said Rob Clevenger, director of juvenile court services.

        The average stay is six months, but some remain there a year, he said.

        The boy had said the police intimidated him into confession to something he didn't do. But Judge Niehaus ruled that his rights were not violated.

        At the rehabilitation center, the daily schedule is rigorous. The juveniles attend academic classes until 3:30 p.m. and then participate in counseling and treatment programs from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m.

        “It's a very confrontational program,” Mr. Clevenger said. “No excuses are allowed. The kids are made to realize they made bad choices.”

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