Rape of Boy, 4, Nets 20 Years

(Queens, New York) In March 2006, a teacher's aide at Veda's Learning World, Khemwatie Bedessie, was arrested for sexually abusing a 4-year-old boy. According to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, the boy complained of repeated sexual encounters to his parents who alerted the authorities. Bedessie, a Guyanese immigrant, molested the boy in the bathroom during nap time and reportedly blamed the boy for "coming on to her."

In October 2006, Bedessie was pleaded not guilty during arraignment to charges of rape, sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released after posting $100,000 bail.

Yesterday, Bedessie was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Khemwatie Bedessie, 38, said nothing as the judge blasted her for violating a child's trust and then despaired over three mothers who testified on Bedessie's behalf during her trial.

"Have we lost every grasp of our moral compass, have we spiraled that much out of control that people would be so naive ... to entrust their child to a sexual predator?" state Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise said. "It's easy to say there is no hope when [well] intentioned people would do such a thing."

The boy's mother sat quietly behind Bedessie during the sentencing as Assistant District Attorney Dianna Megias read a statement on her behalf.

"I am most afraid that ... my son will repeat this behavior with other children," she said, noting that the boy has been "acting out" since testifying during the June trial.

"I can never forgive the defendant for what she did to my son and my family," she said. "I trusted her after developing a relationship with her. I thought she cared for my son. She paid our trust [back] by raping my son."

Disturbing, isn't it? A 37-year-old woman raped a 4-year-old boy! And, only time will tell just how screwed up the boy is and will become.

Defense lawyer Stephen Turano vowed to appeal. Apparently, there's some question about the validity of Bedessie's confession.

Tip: Don Morgenstern