Mothers Face Daughters’ Abuser In Court

— The tearful mothers of two girls had the opportunity Monday to face the man who sexually assaulted their daughters.

Steven Ray James, 26, of Rogers pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault in the second degree under an agreement attorney Scott McElveen reached with Stephanie McLemore, deputy prosecutor. James was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He also must abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 20 years after his release from prison. McLemore said the girls’ parents agreed with the plea to resolve the case.

James was arrested Jan. 22.

McLemore told Circuit Judge Robin Green that James engaged in sexual contact with an 8-year-old girl and a 3-year-old girl. A gasp came from somewhere in the courtroom after McLemore said the younger girl’s age.

James’ arrest came as the result of an amnesty discussion he had with his wife, according to court documents. The couple would confess things to each other without the other person getting angry, the affidavit states. James confessed to having six affairs and named four women, but did not disclose two others, according to court documents. James later admitted to molesting the two girls, according to court documents.

Green accepted the agreement and James’ guilty plea.

“Do you have anything to say?” Green asked James after she accepted the plea. James shook his head no.

The mothers of James’ victims addressed the court. There was silence as they spoke.

The mother of the now-9-year-old girl walked to the front of the courtroom and stood a short distance from James.

“Our daughter, who is now 9 years old, will have to deal with this for the rest of her life,” the mother said. “She could face many challenges as a young woman growing up. She could think it was her fault, she did something wrong or she deserved this. None of this is true.”

The mother said it is difficult for her and her husband to trust people.

“I hope one day Steven realizes what he did was wrong,” she said. “He is the one that will suffer on his Judgment Day.”

The mother of the 3-year-old girl tearfully told the court how she has to comfort her daughter when nightmares wake the girl in the middle of the night.

James did not seem to react to either women’s words. Green gave James a second opportunity to address the court, but he again declined.

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