A Walker man was convicted of sexual battery of a child younger than 13 years old in an incident that took place in an unlicensed in-home daycare in Livingston Parish.

Joshua Prine, 43, was convicted following his Tuesday trial where he waved the right to a jury, allowing 21st Judicial District Judge Erika Sledge to decide the verdict. Sledge found him guilty following the testimony of a 10-year-old child against Prine.

District Attorney Scott Perrilloux praised the child's "strength and bravery" in taking the stand.

Brittany Bankston of Albany, Prine's now former wife, watched 10 children at her home for several years in an unlicensed at-home daycare. Allegations of abuse surfaced in 2023 causing the sheriff's office to investigate and ultimately arrest Prine that year.

Bankston testi

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