By Mike Perleberg Robert Harden III. (Ripley County, Ind.) - Sentencing has come for a teen accused of molesting children at an in-home day care. Robert Harden III, 19, of Versailles, was formally sentenced in Ripley County Circuit Court on Monday, October 16. He had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of Child Molesting (level 3 felony). A third count was dismissed. Judge Ryan King ordered him to serve nine years with 3 ½ years suspended on each count. That’s an aggregate sentence of 18 years, with seven of those years suspended to probation. Harden was credited 187 days time served. The plea deal, which will prevent the child victims from having to testify in court, was agreeable to the victims’ parents, Prosecutor Ric Hertel said in court last month. Harden was 16-years-old when he molested children ages two and four at an in-home day care. Initially charged as a juvenile, his case was waived to adult court in April. The Indiana Department of Corrections lists Harden’s projected release date as July 12, 2025. RELATED STORIES: Plea Deal Will Spare Child Molestation Victims From Testifying Ruling Means Molestation Victims Would Have To Testify At Trial Ripley Co. Judge Orders Teen Be Tried As Adult In Child Molestation Case
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