BENTON, Ill. - A southern Illinois man was sentenced last week for sexually assaulting a child.

The Franklin County State Attorney’s Office said Luis Delacruz, 31, of Sesser pleaded guilty on March 27 to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Delacruz was initially charged with a second count but prosecutors dismissed that charge.

According to prosecutors, on Dec. 1, 2023, Delacruz sexually assaulted a then-12-year-old relative while the child was sleeping in their bed. After the assault, the victim immediately sent text messages to their mother and father begging for help.

When the father received the message, he called 911 and rushed to rescue his child.

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The Sesser Police Department arrived and br

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