Babysitter’s husband sent to prison for touching children inappropriately
Published at
IDAHO FALLS — A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for molesting a young girl his wife was babysitting.
Thomas D. Roberts, now a registered sex offender, appeared before District Judge Joel Tingey in Bonneville County on Monday for sentencing on a sex abuse charge.
In June Roberts pleaded guilty to the charge of felony lewd conduct with child under 16 after he was accused of inappropriately touching the child.
Allen Browning, an attorney represent Roberts, recommended a sex offender treatment rider program, while Bonneville County Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Dewey asked for a five-year fixed and 15-year indeterminate prison sentence.
Tingey ordered that Roberts serve a 15-year prison sentence. After serving three years, Roberts will be eligible for parole.
The abuse first came to light when the victim told her mother about the inappropriate touching she suffered while in the care of a babysitter in 2007. The victim’s mother then reported the abuse to police.
Investigators met with Roberts, who denied ever touching any children inappropriately. Rather, he stated that he liked to tickle the children, according to court documents.
Roberts told investigators he had been accused of inappropriately touching the groins and chest of two child relatives in the past, but nothing came of the accusations.
Roberts agreed to take part in a polygraph test with Idaho Falls Police. Court documents show that during the polygraph, Roberts admitted to touching the reporting victim, under her clothes, in the groin area on several occasions. The polygraph was discontinued, and investigators questioned Roberts after first advising him of his rights.
Court documents show Roberts admitted to inappropriately touching the child, to his recollection, two or three times. Roberts said he does not recall what he was thinking or feeling at the time, but he remembers doing it.
Related content:
Babysitter’s husband arrested for touching children inappropriately