A Carbon County man, who previously pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault on his mother, was sentenced Tuesday in the county court to a state prison term.

Jason Michael Horvath, 30, of Lansford, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve 22 to 60 months in a state correctional institution. The prison term will be followed by three years of state probation. When Horvath entered his plea on June 12, it was to the assault count, but mentally ill.But before imposing the sentence Matika said, "This is one of those difficult cases".A psychiatrist had previously testified that Horvath was mentally ill at the time he assaulted his mother, Bridget Horvath, and his grandmother. Horvath pleaded to the charge concerning his mother with a similar count dropped relative to his grandmother. It was noted since the incident and his incarceration the grandmother has died.The incident occurred on Oct. 21, 2012, at the mother's home at 316 W. Patterson St.Matika said Horvath needed mental health treatment in a mental health facility, but he said he was required to follow sentencing guidelines. Matika said he read all the medical reports submitted by defense Attorney Gregory Lee Mousseau and agrees with the diagnosis contained in the medical reports. But he added, "I don't have much choice."Before the sentence being imposed Mousseau told the court that the day of the incident Horvath had not taken his medication for some time. He added that Horvath was in a group home facility for 18 months and was not a problem. He said he was released because the 18 months was the limit provided for his placement.He said once outside he stopped taking his medication and that resulted in the incident. He said since his arrest and incarceration at the county prison, Horvath has been taking his medication and has not been a problem.Horvath said, "I'm sorry for what I did. I never wanted to leave the group home. I was lonely." He added, "When I'm on my medication I'm no problem."The psychiatrist report also stated Horvath needed long-term treatment.When borough police arrived at the home on the day of the incident they found his mother and grandmother in blood due to lacerations to the face and head. Police said Horvath used various objects, including a knife, to inflict the injuries.When police entered the home they found Horvath standing in front of a mirror talking to himself.Matika said the state prison system has two prisons that deal with mental health issues, one at Somerset in the western part of the state and the second at Waymart in the east. He said he would send a letter to the corrections department recommending Horvath be placed in Waymart.In addition to the jail term Matika ordered Horvath to get a mental health evaluation, supply a DNA sample, make restitution to the victim's compensation board for $15,485.59, and pay court costs, which average about $1,000.Horvath was given credit for 675 days spent in prison on the charge. Although his minimum is almost complete, he will not be released until the state determines if he needs more treatment, or if he should be released to another facility.