Bentley sentenced for sexually abusing girl

Daryl Bentley pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison today in Linn County District Court for sexually abusing a 4-year-old girl last summer.

Bentley, 26, of Cedar Rapids, pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual abuse in a plea agreement. He was originally charged with second-degree sexual abuse.

Bentley sexually abused the girl June 17 while he was alone with her, Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Besler said. The girl was left in the care of Bentley's girlfriend, but Bentley, who lived with her, was alone with the girl for a brief time on that day, according to court documents.

Family members of the victim were in favor of the plea agreement to avoid further harm to the child, Besler said.

"With this plea, he will also be on lifetime parole and (sex offender) registration," Besler said. "I think it was a good result for this case."

No victim impact statements were given, and Bentley didn't speak at the sentencing.

Bentley is related to convicted child killer Roger Bentley, who is serving a life sentence for the 2005 kidnapping and murder of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage.

Roger's brother, James Bentley is serving a 100-year federal prison sentence for taking pornographic pictures of Jetseta and a 1-year-old girl in 2003. James Bentley also was sentenced in state court last year to 25 years for sexually abusing Jetseta.