Steven Glen Baugh, 34, of Garland, was sentenced to life in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of Children, announced
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
In November 2016, a child victim known to Baugh reported to her school guidance counselor that Baugh sexually assaulted her. The abuse was reported to Child Protective Services and law enforcement.
After receiving the report, Sergeant
Chris Fontana with the Collin County Sherriff's Office Child Abuse Task Force initiated an investigation.
Eli Molina with the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County forensically interviewed the victim who disclosed details about the abuse which began when she was 6 or 7 years old and continued until she was 8.
Baugh, a registered sex offender, was convicted in 2004 of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and served five years in prison for that offense. A warrant was issued and Baugh was arrested at his residence in Garland.
In July 2017, Baugh was scheduled for trial for the Continuous Sexual Abuse of this victim. Three days before that trial was to begin, a second victim who was related to Baugh came forward at a church youth retreat and revealed that Baugh sexually assaulted her on one occasion when she was 12. Detective
Fontana investigated this case and filed charges against Baugh for the abuse of the new victim.
Visiting District Judge
Carmen Rivera-Worley presided over the trial and found Baugh guilty. During the punishment phase, the State presented evidence of Baugh's prior convictions for the 2004 Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and a 2014 Indecent Exposure. After hearing the evidence, Judge Rivera-Worley sentenced Baugh to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys
Abigail Policastro and
Crystal Levonius prosecuted the case. They were aided by District Attorney Investigator
Kim Voight Eanes and Victims Assistance Coordinator
Susanne Riggs.
