Cedar Rapids man who sexually abused 3-year-old sentenced to probation
The mother of a 4-year-old child who was sexually abused last year said her family’s life was “turned upside down,” and her toddler has become a “completely different child and angry at the world.”
The toddler, now 4, is scared of new people and doesn’t trust them, the mother said in victim impact statement during sentencing for Seth T. Schroeder, 32, of Cedar Rapids.
“She screams bloody murder and will for hours if she is left with anybody but my mom and dad, me or her dad,” the mother said.
The girl went from a bubbly personality to one who wants to play alone. She even has pushed away her big sister, who she used to adore.
The entire family, the mother said, has been impacted with “fear and trust issues, anxiety and discomfort.”
The child, during an interview at the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Child Protection Center, said Schroeder sexually abused her on or about Sept. 16, 2020, according to a criminal complaint.
The child was taken to the hospital that same day and some injuries were noted, the complaint stated.
Schroeder, originally charged with second-degree sexual abuse, pleaded to assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Schroeder denied inappropriate behavior, police said.
Sixth Judicial District Judge Paul Miller sentenced Schroeder to two years probation, in accordance with the plea agreement.
If he has no violations or other charges during his probation, Schroeder can have the charge expunged from his record.
Miller wouldn’t suspend fines and civil penalties of the charge and ordered Schroeder to register as a sex offender and serve a special sentence of parole for life following his probation.
Assistant Linn County Attorney Rena Schulte said the prosecution wasn’t happy with the deferred judgment, but the family agreed to it in order to spare the child from testifying.
Schulte said the goal of the plea was to have Schroeder on the sex offender registry and parole for life.
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