A man was sentenced to three years’ probation on Wednesday after being found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Thomas Costas is accused of touching the young girl’s inner thigh and sending inappropriate text messages.
Costas was 50 and the girl was 11 at the time of the incidents. Costas was a close family friend, and the children even called him uncle.
A man was sentenced to three years’ probation on Wednesday after being found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The now 13-year-old girl’s mother held back tears explaining how brave her daughter was for coming forward about what she says was the grooming of her child by a family-friend.
Megan Oliveri stood before the judge at sentencing to read a letter her daughter wrote.
The letter read in part: “No one should be touched like that” and “I now understand what happened to me was not right.”
Costas was found guilty on two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Oliveri says she feels justice was done and encourages any child to speak up if they think something is not right.
“Just talk to your parents and be open if you ever think anything is wrong because I look at what she has been through, and it is not easy,” Oliveri said.
Costas’ attorney says his client plans on appealing the misdemeanors.
The judge also gave an order of protection so Costas cannot have any contact with the victim.
https://youtu.be/iQ3V16svGMA
