MARIETTA, Ga. — A 27-year-old man was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 490 years after pleading guilty to dozens of felony charges involving the abuse of a baby in Marietta.
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Marcel Moreland entered a non-negotiated plea in Cobb Superior Court to 25 felony counts, including rape, child molestation, incest and repeated sexual exploitation of an infant.
The victim was repeatedly abused and exploited when she was one month old, with the abuse continuing until she was six months old.
Prosecutors sought a sentence reflecting the severity of the crimes to ensure Moreland could never harm another child.
District Attorney Sonya F. Allen spoke about the severity of the offenses and the legal outcome following the sentencing.
“This sentence sends a clear message: if you prey upon our children, we will pursue you with every tool the law gives us,” Allen said.
“There are crimes that shock the conscience and the sexual abuse and exploitation of an infant is among the most unimaginable. This child deserved protection from the person entrusted to care for her. Instead, she was victimized in the most horrific way.”
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Allen commended Assistant District Attorney Brittany Hutton and the trial team for prosecuting the case on behalf of the state.
“Cases involving the sexual abuse of children demand extraordinary preparation, professionalism and resolve,” Allen said. “Brittany carried the heavy responsibility of speaking in court for a child – a baby, who could not speak for herself. Her work ensured that the court understood the full gravity of what was done to this child and why accountability mattered.”
Reflecting on the role of the judicial system in the case, Allen noted the significance of holding the offender accountable.
“This is why we do this work,” Allen said. “This doesn’t erase what happened, but it can make certain that this defendant never has the opportunity to harm another child. Today, this child had a voice. Today, the system stood up for her. And today, the person responsible learned that there are consequences commensurate with the unimaginable harm he caused.”
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