(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – An Aurora man who was convicted of molesting his step-granddaughter over several years has been sentenced to prison.

Paul Beach, 66, was previously convicted in Ohio County Circuit Court of Child Molesting, a Class A Felony.  On Thursday, he was sentenced by Judge James Humphrey to 30 years with 15 years of the sentence suspended.

Beach will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life upon his release from prison.

According to a press release from Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard, Beach admitted to having intercourse and deviate sexual conduct with the girl starting when she was four-years-old and lasting until she turned 11. 

The girl disclosed the abuse to her mother after attending a school program called “Think Smart, Stay Safe.” Indiana State Police investigated further, including an interview with the victim at the Region 15 Child Advocacy Center in Dillsboro.

“This case was successfully prosecuted due to the fact of a quality interview of the child was able to be conducted at the Region 15 Child Advocacy Center,” said Negangard. “The Child Advocacy Center has continued to prove itself to play a vital role in prosecuting and convicting those who would sexually assault children.”

Negangard also credited Indiana State Police Detective Glenn Potts for doing an excellent job in the investigation.