A former Florida preschool teacher will not serve any additional jail time for molesting a toddler over an eight-month period inside a Baldwin Park child care facility, a judge ruled Tuesday.
An Orange County judge sentenced Jayrico Hamilton to 15 years of probation as a sex offender.
Hamilton was accused of having extensive sexual contact with a boy, now 6 years old, at the Bright Horizons child care facility in Baldwin Park.
The boy’s family offered emotional testimony Tuesday, saying that their son has nightmares stemming from what happened to him.
“We've endured a lot of pain and suffering. We have to live every day with this,” the boy’s mother said.
The judge said in court that Hamilton's sentence is a downward departure from normal sentencing guidelines.
The judge said there are a number of other conditions to Hamilton’s sentence, including that he is prohibited from entering Baldwin Park or Audubon Park or having any contact with the victim or his family.
"Unfortunately for this child, it’s a life sentence," attorney Jeff Herman said. "Healing from abuse is a very long journey. But we are pleased the family has some measure of closure. We look forward to holding the school, Bright Horizons, accountable in the civil case."
Bright Horizons Children's Centers provided WFTV with the following statement:
"Our heart is with the child and the child’s family for the pain and distress they have experienced. Our first priority is always the safety and well-being of the children in our care. We have cooperated fully with all authorities in this matter and supported the judicial process."
State Attorney Aramis Ayala provided WFTV with the following statement:
"We were able to reach this resolution because a courageous child stood up to an abuser. Because of the victim’s bravery, Jayrico Hamilton is designated a sexual offender for the remainder of his life and will be monitored 24 hours a day for the next 15 years.
"When we extend plea offers, a variety of factors are weighed. While we strongly consider the most severe penalty, justice also requires consideration of potential trauma to the victim that is often caused by repetitively talking about the abuse. Most importantly, in this case the victim’s family supports this resolution and believe it is in the best interest of their child."
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