WALKER COUNTY, Ga. - A 26-year-old Walker County man has been sentenced to life in prison after admitting to sexually abusing three young relatives.

Prosecutors say Josiah Matthew Backus pleaded guilty to multiple counts of aggravated child molestation and child molestation. Under the sentence handed down Aug. 28, 2025, Backus will serve at least 35 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.

The backstory:

The case began in August 2024 when a family friend reported that Backus had confessed to abusing his 6- and 8-year-old nieces and his 5-year-old nephew. The Walker County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investigation, and Detective Eddie Hill arranged forensic interviews at the Children’s Advocacy Center. During those interviews, the children disclosed repeated ass

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