Cedar Rapids man gets 50 years for child sex abuse

CEDAR RAPIDS - A mother in a victim impact statement said Monday that her 8-year-old was the victim of 'acts that you wouldn't do to an enemy.”

She said her daughter was sexually assaulted by James Harless for three months in 2008. In one incident, the girl said Harless put a pillow over her head, and she couldn't breathe while being attacked.

Harless, 30, of Cedar Rapids, made three Alford pleas to one count of second-degree sexual abuse of the 8-year-old from April to June 2008, second-degree sexual abuse of another girl between ages 2 and 4 from July 2012 to April 2014, and child endangerment of a 2-month-old by multiple acts. In making an Alford plea, a defendant doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges the evidence against him would result in a conviction.

Sixth Judicial District Senior Judge Nancy Baumgartner sentenced Harless on Monday to 50 years in prison, in accordance with the plea agreement.

The 8-year-old's mother said her loving, intelligent and talented daughter slowly changed after the abuse, but she didn't understand why. Harless told the girl not to tell anybody. She started acting out and felt 'nasty” and insecure even after the assaults ended. But with God and prayer she began to heal and now is an honor student, cheerleader and a mentor for other girls.

When her daughter found out about the plea, the mother said, 'I saw a smile on her face that I hadn't seen before.”

Harless admitted in court there was evidence that he sexually abused the two girls and physically abused the baby girl from Nov. 5, 2013, through Jan. 8, 2014, while the children were in his care.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said the 2-month-old was shaken or pulled during the multiple episodes, which resulted in 12 broken ribs, one broken leg and ankle, and bruising.

The child also had tongue bruising that likely resulted from something being pushed in her mouth, Maybanks said.

Two charges of child neglect involving the 2-month-old and 4-year-old girls who were exposed to cocaine while in Harless' care were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.