UNNAMED BABY GIRL 9 months / Convicted: Richard Dallas - Rochester, NY

Lyons man sentenced to maximum for sexually abusing a baby

Posted at: 07/17/2012 7:06 AM | Updated at: 07/17/2012 10:59 AM

He's dangerous, depraved and needs to be removed from society. That's what a Wayne County judge had to say today about a Lyons man who sexually assaulted a nine-month-old baby girl.

Richard Dallas was given the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

In court, Judge Dennis Kehoe told Dallas he has no redeeming qualities as a human being and never will. He said Dallas is a danger to young people and “there is no cure for you.”

Dallas didn't have anything to say walking in or out of court and didn't give any explanation or apology for what he did last November to a nine-month-old girl he thought was his own child.

District attorney Rick Healy said plain and simply, Dallas nearly killed the girl during the sexual assault. He asked for the maximum sentence and that's what Dallas received. The 24 year old won't be eligible for parole until he's nearly 50 years old.

Dallas's attorney says he will appeal. He says his client has the IQ of a fourth grader and was also a victim as a child. Bruce Chambers said, “He was subjected to repeated sexual abuse. He and his siblings were subjected to this all at the same time -- forced to interact with one another.”

Healy said, “He knew exactly what he did. He may be mentally limited. He may have been abused. And I feel bad about that - but none of this is an excuse for committing such a crime.”

The victim is now in foster care and is expected to make a full recovery.

Both the defense and prosecution noted that there were no family members from either side at sentencing.

An order of protection was issued for the victim and her mother. The mother is currently facing charges of neglect in family court as an outcome of this case.

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2692155.shtml?cat=566