(ICYMI) Convicted Child Molester Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of Girl, 13

A Douglas County judge sentenced a convicted child molester to at least 25 years in prison for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl who was under guardianship of his ex-wife.

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office said Joseph Sanders, 54, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated child molestation and cruelty to children on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Senior Superior Court Judge Donald B. Howe sentenced Sanders to life in prison, with the first 25 years to be served without the possibility of parole.

The DA’s Office, which announced the sentencing on Facebook, said Sanders was arrested Aug. 27, 2013 after the 13-year-old reported the abuse to authorities in Paulding County.

Because the abuse primarily occurred in Douglas County, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. A search of his home discovered multiple video recordings showing him molesting the girl, the DA’s office said.

More from the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office:

Further investigation revealed the Defendant had been disciplining the child on the belief that she had previously reported his abuse to others, which was the basis for the Cruelty to Children charge. The Defendant was the ex-husband of the victim’s guardian, who would frequently leave the victim at the Defendant’s home. The victim’s guardian is currently facing Cruelty to Children charges in Paulding County.

The sentence dictates Sanders will not be eligible for parole until he is 80 years old.

“Protecting children is one of the most rewarding and often times difficult part of our job,” said Senior Assistant District Attorney Tom Kegley, who prosecuted the case. “I’m just thankful for the efforts of law enforcement and the strength of the victim in ensuring the Defendant is not able to harm any more children.”

“It’s a tragedy and absolutely unacceptable that any child should ever have to suffer through what happened to the victim in this case,” District Attorney Brian Fortner said in a statement. “We will remain vigilant in aggressively prosecuting and punishing these child molesters who abuse the children of our community. This plea ensures the Defendant will remain in prison for a very long time, and the citizens of Douglas County are better off as a result.”

Photo: Joseph Sanders. Credit Douglas County DA’s Office Facebook