A 26-year-old Hutchinson man bound over for trial on four counts of abuse of a child was arraigned Monday where he entered “not guilty” pleas.

Bradley Cole is accused of causing severe bruising on their bodies, one a 3-year-old and the other, a 6-year-old. Two of the charges are alternate counts to the other two, meaning he can only be sentenced on two counts.

Cole was apparently hired to watch the kids by their mother while she was at work. Both she and her sister testified that neither child had bruising prior to them leaving the kids with Cole. The alleged crimes occurring back on August 1, 2013.

He was also arraigned for possession of methamphetamine accused of having meth on him on August 9.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder had stated after the preliminary hearing that he would file a motion for an upward departure sentence in the case meaning if Cole is convicted, he could be looking at an extended stay in prison.

Judge Trish Rose set a pretrial hearing in the case for December 20.