By Scott Harvey
Paris – A Paris teenager with profound mental disabilities was sentenced this week to 100 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of sexual abuse.
18-year-old Aaron Hart was arrested and charged after a neighbor found him fondling her 6-year-old stepson in September. The teen pleaded guilty to five counts, including aggravated sexual assault and indecency by contact.
Hart has an IQ of 47 and was diagnosed as mentally disabled as a child. Reports indicate never learned to read or write and speaks unsteadily.
Lamar County Judge Eric Clifford said neither he nor jurors liked the idea of prison for Hart but they felt there was no other option.
An appeal is expected to be filed.