Iowa City mother of toddler sexually abused says it ‘shattered her world’

IOWA CITY — Six words spoken by her 3-year-old daughter, describing she had been sexually abused, shattered her world July 15, 2018.

“I will never be able to forget that moment in time … Her demeanor, her body language and tone said everything I never thought would happen to my baby girl,” an Iowa City mother, tearing up, said during sentencing Monday for Andrew J. Harrison in Johnson County District Court.

“The events of that day haunt me every day. The days following I remember being in a state of shock — felt more like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. Still does some days.”

Her daughter now has weekly therapy sessions and she hopes she will come to terms with how she was “violated” at such a young age, the mother said. She hopes she knows her “true strength and resilience to overcome something that will be with her the rest of her life.”

The mother said she hopes one day she can forgive Harrison — not for him, because he doesn’t deserve it, but for her children and herself to overcome the “anger and disgust, the torment and sadness” they live with every day.

Harrison, 51, of Iowa City, was convicted by a jury in April of second-degree sexual abuse with an enhanced penalty — making it a Class A felony — because he has a previous conviction of two counts of lascivious acts with a child in Polk County.

According to testimony, Harrison babysat the toddler from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 15, 2018. Later that night, the child described to her mother what the man did to her.

Her mother immediately took the child for a physical exam and evidence was collected, according to testimony. Harrison’s DNA was found on the toddler’s clothing and her body.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Paul Miller sentenced Harrison to life in prison without parole for the Class A felony.

Before announcing sentencing, he denied the defense’s motion for new trial, stating most of the issues raised had been ruled upon before trial. He also affirmed the verdict was not contrary to the weight of the evidence.

Harrison, during sentencing, said he was “sorry” for what the mother had to go through, but insisted it was not his fault. He maintained his innocence and attempted to blame the child and her mother.

Miller also placed a five-year no contact order against Harrison to protect the child and her family, and he ordered Harrison to be on the sex offender registry and serve a special sentence of parole for life.

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