(FeaturedHeadlines.com) A California court sentenced a 28-year-old man to 135 years to life in prison for multiple counts of sickening crimes against children. A jury found the man, Adam Bendell, guilty of lewd acts and threats against multiple kids.
On May 20, 2024 Placer County Superior Court Judge Garen Horst sentenced Bendell to 135 years to life in prison, although even the minimum sentence is effectively a life sentence. Bendell will serve the prison sentence in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system.
Bendell used his access to young children through a dating relationship to exploit them during naps and bedtimes. The exploitation escalated over time. Bendell inappropriately touched victims between the ages of three and six on multiple occasions.
Bendell groomed the victims and made them fear that they would “get in trouble” if they disclosed the abuse. The abuse was first reported in February 2021 and a jury found Bendell guilty on March 5, 2024.
Bendell expressed concerns about losing his job and tarnishing his social image during the trial. The jury concluded that Bendell was particularly callous due to an apparent lack of remorse about the crimes against the children.
Sadly, such incidents are far from rare in the United States. Studies conducted by the Crimes Against Children Research Center found that one in five girls and one in 20 boys are victims of sexual abuse. The National Institute of Justice found that three out of four sexually assaulted adolescents were victimized by someone they knew well.
Children who suffer from sexual abuse can develop low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and an abnormal or distorted view of sex, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime. Such victims can also become mistrustful of adults and suicidal.
Although crimes against children continue to occur in the US, the California court has at least ensured that Bendell will never again get a chance to commit such sickening crimes.
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