A Bellmead man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting a young relative

WACO, TX (KWTX) – A 21-year-old Bellmead man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison without parole after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 5-year-old family member in 2019.

Judge Thomas West of Waco’s 19th District Court sentenced Charles Bradshaw to the minimum prison term after reviewing a probation officer’s report that included a psychiatric evaluation.

A 19th District Court jury found Bradshaw guilty in July of aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 6 years old, which carries a minimum sentence of 25 years to 99 years in prison without parole or life in prison without parole. Bradshaw chose to have the judge assess his sentence.

In testimony at Bradshaw’s July trial, the child’s mother and Kerry Berkley, assistant director of the Center for Victims of Crime and Children’s Advocacy, both testified to the girl that Bradshaw forced her to put his penis in her mouth while Bradshaw was naked in her bedroom. home in the 1100 block of Gilliam Street.

The girl, now 8, was unable to describe what happened on the witness stand and withdrew as prosecutors asked her to tell the jury what happened. She said she did not remember if Bradshaw had molested her in her sleep.

The girl’s mother testified that she came home from work early to find Bradshaw naked in bed with the younger family member. He said the girl appeared to indicate abuse by putting her finger in her mouth when asked if Bradshaw touched her inappropriately.

The mother immediately called the police.

Bradshaw’s attorney, Abel Reyna, said the judge’s sentence “takes into account specific mitigating factors against Bradshaw.” “Obviously, we’re disappointed with the jury’s verdict, but we respect their verdict and we respect the court’s decision in this case,” Reyna said. “We are now starting the appeals process in the trial.”

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