Grandfather Figure Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Child

MARIETTA, GA — A 70-year-old Marietta man was convicted Friday of child molestation. Gary Charles Hufstetler Sr. molested the girl over several years, beginning when she was six years old and continuing until she was 11. The victim said she considered Hufstetler a grandfather, although they were never related.

Hufstetler began the abuse with seemingly unintentional touches as she watched Popeye cartoons, and the abuse progressed over time. The victim, now 17, did not tell anyone for fear of how it would affect her family until she reported it to her therapist and then called police.

Hufstetler had previously been investigated for allegations involving other children in the family, but charges were not taken. He encountered the children through his live-in girlfriend of almost 30 years.

“This predator took care in grooming and selecting a child that he thought would never tell. However, this young woman showed incredible strength by facing her fears and this defendant in describing to the jury the abuse she suffered at such a young age,” said ADA Meredith Florio, who prosecuted the case with ADA Katie Gropper.

After the verdict, Cobb Superior Court Chief Judge Reuben M. Green sentenced Hufstetler to 20 years, with eight years to serve in custody and the rest on probation.