Marietta Father Pleads Guilty To Sexually Abusing Stepdaughter: Cobb DA

MARIETTA, GA -- A Marietta man pleaded guilty this week to sexually abusing his stepdaughter, Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds announced Friday. For more police news and updates on this and other stories in Cobb County, click here to get Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts.

Marco Antonio Gomez, 35, admitted to inappropriately touching his teenage stepdaughter in June 2015 at the family's Chauncey Lane home, the DA's Office said.

The issue came to light after the teen confided in a school counselor, although the girl didn't disclose who had touched her. The school went to the authorities when the girl shared that she was fearful that the incident would happen again.

Gomez's case was complicated by the fact that the girl recanted after her father was indicted. The case was further strained when the child's mother hired an attorney to represent the victim and the family.

“In the face of those difficulties, however, the truth won out," Assistant District Attorney Courtney Veal, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement.

Gomez, who has been in custody since September 2015, decided to enter a plea in the middle of jury selection.

"This Defendant admitted in court that he did in fact molest this child as she said, and he will now be held responsible for his acts, despite of the actions of those individuals who sought to protect this Defendant from justice," Veal said.

Gomez was sentenced Gomez to 15 years in prison, with a mandatory eight years behind bars and the remainder on probation. He was represented by Marietta attorney Carlos Rodriguez.

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