South Kingstown Man Gets 25-Year Prison Sentence For Molesting A Child

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — A South Kingstown man was sentenced to 25 years in state prison after being convicted of molesting a child, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Tuesday.

Rudolph Bliss, 55, pleaded nolo contendere Monday to two counts of first-degree child molestation. Bliss must also serve 40 years of probation and complex sex offender counseling.

"Crimes like these are uniquely devastating in how they impact victims, their families, and our communities," Neronha said. "This victim demonstrated exceptional courage in coming forward and testifying. Because they spoke up, they ensured their attacker was held accountable for his crimes and protected other victims from a dangerous criminal. I am grateful to the South Kingstown Police Department for their investigative work in this case and many others."

Had the case gone to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove Bliss sexual assaulted a child under age 14 he knew. Prosecutors said Bliss sexually assaulted his victim more than once between 2015 and 2022. Bliss was registered as a sex offender and was on probation when the sexual assaults happened, prosecutors said.

"My heart goes out to the victim and their family, and it is my sincere hope that this outcome brings them some measure of comfort and justice," South Kingstown Police Chief Matthew Moynihan said. "I am incredibly proud of the diligent and relentless work done by the South Kingstown Police Department, in collaboration with the Attorney General's Office, to ensure that this predator was brought to justice and will no longer be a threat to our community."

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