Syracuse, N.Y. ― A man was sentenced to 17 years to life in prison Monday after pleading guilty to sexually abusing an autistic 3-year-old boy.

Sean Carpenter , 32, was caught on camera sexually abusing an autistic child on August 10, 2024, prosecutor Jarrett Woodfork said.

Carpenter previously pleaded guilty to predatory sexual assault against a child in exchange for 17 years to life in prison. If convicted after trial, he faced 25 years to life.

In a letter to the court, the child’s mother wrote that her son will never be able to verbalize his pain and trauma.

“It shows in his fears, his triggers, his struggles,” she wrote. “For him, healing is not temporary it is a lifelong journey.”

Judge Matthew Doran said “horrific” did not begin to cover the awful nature of the abuse.

Carpent

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