Abita Springs Man Enters Guilty Plea In Juvenile Rape Case

COVINGTON, La. (AP) — An Abita Springs man has pleaded guilty in St. Tammany Parish to charges of forcible rape, sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile and received a 40-year prison sentence.

The Times-Picayune reports state District Judge Raymond Childress sentenced James R. Day, 53, after Day pleaded guilty earlier this week.

St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Walter Reed said Day was arrested in February and accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl. The victims' mother learned of the abuse and alerted police, the district attorney's office said.

Day was initially charged with aggravated rape.