Because of two prior burglary convictions, Francisco Ramirez, 27, will serve at least 13 years and four months behind bars before he is eligible for parole.

Shari Rodrigues was found unconscious March 15, 2006, at the Na Hale O Waine'e homeless resource center in Lahaina with injuries that included a skull fracture, broken ribs and severe internal injuries. As a result of the attack, the girl lost her spleen and part of her pancreas, and suffered permanent brain damage and partial paralysis of her right hand.

Ramirez told police he struck the child because she wouldn't listen to him and gave him a disrespectful look.

He originally was charged with attempted murder but later pleaded no contest to attempted manslaughter.

During today's sentencing, Ramirez said he was embarrassed and disgusted by his actions.

"I am not a monster ... I wish people would see inside of me to see the shame, embarrassment and pain inside me," he said.

Ramirez said he accepts full responsibility for his actions, and would use his time in prison to take classes that would teach him to "never let my anger, frustration and stress get the better of me again." Before levying the prison term, Maui Circuit Judge Joel August questioned the defendant's characterization of the crime.

"This was not a question of anger management, which is a euphemism for the extremely violent acts that people do. This particular incident takes on the ramifications of something that is sociopathic in nature, or psychopathic in nature. It's something certainly beyond anger management," August said.