Des Moines man sentenced to 20 years for sexually abusing 4-year-old girl

CEDAR RAPIDS — Parents of a child who was sexually abused at age 4 by a Des Moines man they “trusted and was like family,” gave heart-wrenching statements Tuesday during his sentencing as they told a judge of the long-lasting harm he caused.

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“It never crossed my mind that he would do this to my child,” the father said in his victim impact statement during the sentencing of Zachary Dye, 32, convicted of two counts of third-degree sexual abuse.

“This man was like family to me,” the father said. “Somebody I trusted. An uncle to my kids.”

His daughter is not the same now. She doesn’t want any affection and doesn’t want to be touched.

“This is a direct result of him,” the father said. “Twenty years is not enough. I’d rather watch him rot.”

The girl’s mother said she didn’t understand how Dye could do those things to their child. Their daughter was once “happy and had a spark in her eye and now doesn’t want to be touched.”

“She wants to just stay in her room by herself,” the mother, tearing up, said. “I worry about how she will grow up and I don’t know how to help her.”

The mother broke down after her statement and quickly left the courtroom before the hearing was over.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Andrew Chappell sentenced Dye to 10 years in prison on each charge and ran them consecutively for up to 20 years, in accordance with the plea agreement. The other three charges of second-degree sexual abuse would be dismissed, also as part of the plea agreement.

Dye made Alford pleas to both charges. In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains their innocence but admits the prosecution has enough evidence to convict.

Dye declined to make a statement during sentencing.

Chappell said this offense was “incredibly serious” and there’s nothing more serious than an impact to a child. This is the “most severe” punishment he can hand out, he said.

Chappell also told the parents how sorry he was that this happened to their family.

Dye must also serve a special sentence of lifetime parole and comply with sex offender registry requirements.

Chappell also extended the no contact order against Dye for five years to protect the victim.

According to a criminal complaint, the child, who was 3- or 4-years-old, was sexually abused Jan. 1, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2023. She reported the abuse to her 6-year-old brother who then told their parents. The girl was interviewed by a forensic interviewer at the Child Protection Center and confirmed details of the incidents.

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