'The reality is he is a monster - he must be punished'
CALDWELL, Idaho (KBOI) - A former Nampa daycare worker who molested numerous children will spend the next three decades behind bars.
And there's a possibility he could spend even much more time.
On Thursday, a Canyon County judge sentenced Joshua Ritchie to a minimum of 32 years in prison with the possibility of life. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
“I know the defendant doesn’t want to be a monster anymore but the reality is he is a monster,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erica Kallin during the sentencing. “He is a monster to these victims, their parents and he is perceived as a monster by the community. He must be punished.”
Ritchie was found guilty of felony lewd conduct with a minor, sexual abuse of a minor as well as sexual exploitation of a minor (child pornography). In exchange for the guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed not to file an additional 13 charges against Ritchie.
Police say the initial investigation began when a 5-year-old child disclosed to his parents that Ritchie sexually abused them.
According to court documents, the 5-year-old boy told authorities that the touching occurred when the two played "Angry Birds" or hide and seek.
Police later set up a recorded conversation where a detective acted like the boy's father and confronted Ritchie about touching his child, documents show.
Ritchie, police say, admitted to having the boy touch Ritchie's penis, but that "it ended right there," according to documents.
Ritchie worked at Cornerstone Childcare and Daycare Center in Nampa where sheriff's officials say the alleged abuse occurred. Ritchie also worked as a kitchen staff substitute for the Nampa School District.
And there's a possibility he could spend even much more time.
On Thursday, a Canyon County judge sentenced Joshua Ritchie to a minimum of 32 years in prison with the possibility of life. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
“I know the defendant doesn’t want to be a monster anymore but the reality is he is a monster,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erica Kallin during the sentencing. “He is a monster to these victims, their parents and he is perceived as a monster by the community. He must be punished.”
Ritchie was found guilty of felony lewd conduct with a minor, sexual abuse of a minor as well as sexual exploitation of a minor (child pornography). In exchange for the guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed not to file an additional 13 charges against Ritchie.
Police say the initial investigation began when a 5-year-old child disclosed to his parents that Ritchie sexually abused them.
According to court documents, the 5-year-old boy told authorities that the touching occurred when the two played "Angry Birds" or hide and seek.
Police later set up a recorded conversation where a detective acted like the boy's father and confronted Ritchie about touching his child, documents show.
Ritchie, police say, admitted to having the boy touch Ritchie's penis, but that "it ended right there," according to documents.
Ritchie worked at Cornerstone Childcare and Daycare Center in Nampa where sheriff's officials say the alleged abuse occurred. Ritchie also worked as a kitchen staff substitute for the Nampa School District.
He is not a monster; he is a coward. He is a predator. He is a human who made choices to devastate many, many peoples' lives.Â