A Carbon County man pleaded guilty in the county court on Thursday to the theft of a cellular phone in the emergency room of a hospital and using his young son in the crime.

Adam J. Spino, 30, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property, as a misdemeanor 1.Spino was arrested for an incident on June 17 at the Palmerton hospital. Police said Spino took the cell phone of Patrick Trone while in the emergency room at the hospital. Police also charged that Spino had his 5-year-old son take the phone, which was plugged into a wall outlet charging, and then gave to him. Spino then concealed it in a cloth and left the ER.Spino denied that he used his son, but President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II reminded the defendant when he pleads to a charge he accepts the facts contained in the police report.Nanovic also added, "I have a problem with an adult using a 5-year-old child in a crime." Nanovic added, "You saw an opportunity to steal a cellphone."Nanovic also noted that Spino has a prior criminal record and is facing probation/parole violations in Lehigh County and pending criminal charge in Schuylkill County. One of his convictions involved a weapons offense, the court noted.Nanovic deferred sentencing when Spino disputed the restitution figure being sought by the victim for the phone of $749.99. Assistant District Attorney Joseph Perilli said the phone was damaged and had to be replaced, according to the victim.Nanovic ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report. Nanovic said Spino's attorney, Adam Weaver, court-appointed, would have to ask for a restitution hearing if Spino continues to dispute the restitution sought.