Long Island father convicted of sexually assaulting his 5-year-old daughter.

A Long Island man has been found guilty of multiple counts of sexually assaulting his five-year-old daughter, as announced by authorities on Tuesday. The 47-year-old resident of Selden, who remains unnamed to protect the identity of the victim, was convicted on Monday of first-degree and second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, according to a statement from the Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Prosecutors revealed that the abuse began during the summer of 2015, when the defendant inappropriately touched his daughter while her mother was away from the home. Over time, the situation escalated to instances of intercourse. This cycle of abuse continued until the defendant relocated and ceased contact with his daughter. While no specific duration of the misconduct has been provided, officials noted that the victim managed to keep the incidents secret for several years before ultimately disclosing the abuse to school personnel.

The man was arrested in April 2024 after an investigation conducted by the Suffolk County Police Department. His trial was held before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, culminating in the conviction on Monday. District Attorney Tierney emphasized the importance of the verdict, stating that it serves as a measure of justice for the young survivor, who faced unimaginable trauma inflicted by someone who was meant to protect her.

The defendant is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on October 16, where he faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison, coupled with 20 years of post-release supervision. As of Tuesday afternoon, his attorney had not responded to requests for comments regarding the case.

This case follows a disturbing trend in Selden, where earlier this year, a 68-year-old father was sentenced to serve between 32 and 57 years in prison for sexually abusing three of his children over a span of 13 years. The victims, then aged between 7 and 13, did not report their father’s actions at the time due to fears of being removed from their home and separated from their siblings. They ultimately reported the abuse only after reaching adulthood.

These incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding child safety and the devastating impact of familial abuse, underscoring the critical need for vigilance and advocacy in protecting the welfare of children.