Montgomery man pleads guilty to raping 5-year-old girl
WETUMPKA, Ala. (WAKA) – A Montgomery man has pleaded guilty to raping a five-year-old girl just before he was to stand trial.
Elmore County District Attorney CJ Robinson says 35-year-old Steven Barnes entered the plea today, which was the first day of jury selection for his trial. His plea is to serve 40 years for first-degree rape when he is formally sentenced on May 26.
Barnes had been arrested for rape and three additional felony counts in April 2019 following an investigation by Millbrook police, Robinson said.
According to Robinson, in April 2019, Barnes was arrested and charged with raping the girl, who was found by her mother. The girl was taken to Prattville Baptist Hospital for treatment, and later to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for surgery for her injuries.
Robinson said the girl was the daughter of a woman Barnes was dating. He said the rape occurred while Barnes was staying at the home and the mother was napping.
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