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Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin Announces Guilty Verdict in Emanuel Baptista Child Molestation Trial

Emanuel Baptista, formerly of Pawtucket, was found guilty today, March 2, 2011, by a Providence County Superior Court jury on two counts of first degree child molestation and two counts of first degree child abuse (P1/09-2502A). The jury’s verdict, reached after four days of deliberations, concluded a six day trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Netti Vogel.

In August 2009, Emanuel Baptista molested and abused a four month old child in his care. The child’s mother sought medical attention for the four month old after it was reported to her by the defendant that she had choked on a baby wipe earlier in the day. The child was treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and later by a nurse practitioner. The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) was informed of the abuse.

The medical exam of the child revealed bruises to the child’s cheek, lips and tongue, a torn frenulum, abrasions to her pallet in the back of the throat, and an inflamed throat. The exam also revealed significant injury to her vaginal area. X-rays revealed 10 broken ribs and fractures to both arms.

When questioned by the Pawtucket Police, Baptista admitted to molesting and abusing the child.

Baptista has been held without bail at the ACI since his arrest in August 2009.

The penalty for first degree child molestation carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The first degree child abuse carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with a minimum mandatory 10 years to serve, no suspension and the individual must serve at least eight years before eligible for parole per RIGL 11-9-5.3(b)(1), also known as “Brendan’s Law.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Scott Erickson on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General. The lead detective from the Pawtucket Police Department was Charles “Chip” Devine.

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