Thread: Teen jailed for sexually assaulting 3-year-old

Teen jailed for sexually assaulting 3-year-old




By Zach Lowe
Staff Writer

Published February 28 2008


STAMFORD - A 16-year-old city boy will spend five years in prison for sexually assaulting a 3-year-old boy last year.

Axel Escalante, formerly of 135-7 Stillwater Ave., could have received far more prison time if not for a request from the victim's family for a lesser sentence, attorneys said.



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Escalante, an immigrant from Guatemala and the youngest of 10 brothers, pleaded guilty to risk of injury to a minor in exchange for a maximum five-year prison term, attorneys said.

The victim's family signed off on the deal in part because they did not want the boy to testify about the assault, said the prosecutor, Assistant State's Attorney Maureen Ornousky.

The victim has had nightmares, and his family is "concerned over how this will affect his development," Ornousky said.

The state also considered Escalante's age and the wish of the victim's family that he receive counseling instead of a lengthy prison stay, Ornousky said.

Escalante was at the victim's home May 7 when he assaulted the boy. Doctors found evidence of sexual penetration, Ornousky said.

Escalante's family was friendly with the victim's family, and it was not unusual for Escalante to visit their home, attorneys said.

Police charged Escalante with first-degree sexual assault. The physical evidence gave prosecutors a strong case against him, Ornousky said.

"If (Escalante) were older, with this kind of evidence, we'd be looking for quite a bit longer of incarceration," Ornousky said.

Escalante's public defender, Susan Hankins, asked the judge for a two-year sentence.

Escalante, who has no record and may face deportation, apologized before Judge Richard Comerford.

"I know the boy has been harmed physically and mentally," he said through a Spanish-language interpreter. "I don't have anything else to say."

Escalante's father, Concepcion, asked for mercy and said none of Escalante's nine brothers had ever been in trouble.

"This is my last son, and I have to accept what he did," Concepcion Escalante said. "I ask forgiveness for what he has done."

Comerford was not swayed.

"You can't have this kind of behavior in civilized society," the judge said before imposing the five-year sentence. "I don't care how old he is."

About a dozen of Escalante's family and friends declined to comment after the hearing at state Superior Court in Stamford. The victim's family also declined to comment.

Escalante will be on probation for 15 years after his release. He must register as a sex offender during his probation, the judge ruled.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/lo ... 8541.story

Is he illegal? If he's illegal he should be deported.

I agree with the judge, this cannot be tolerated in our society. Five years in jail, counseling and deport.

I am in the process of trying to make the sheriffs dept in rockingham county ,nc wentworth,nc to enforce the law against 22 year old illegal who has gotten a 14 year old girl pregnant and her mother in return for rent has allowed him to sleep in her room -these people are known to the law and another illegal is the head of the house is out on bail with 2 charges and is a convicted felon who should have been deported.These people also recieve social services(who I contacted)goes to middle scholl(who I contacted) and crime stoppers who the sheriff suggest I contact -so far nothing has been done-this is the same sheriiffs dept whom served papers the next day at his work of a guy I know on what turned out to be false charge by angry girlfreind -they seem to drag thier feet when it comes to illegals -

You can't have this kind of behavior in civilized society,"

Exactly....a civilized society. Too many are comming from uncivilized countries where this is part of "their culture". Well.....it's not here.