Child molesters should die in prison; fifteen years is not enough

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — I’ve never suffered sexual abuse. But in my line of work, I’ve heard more horror stories than I care to remember—stories that leave you sick to your stomach. Stories that keep you awake at night. Stories about child molesters. In my opinion, these predators deserve to die in prison. Not just any prison—the worst prison imaginable. And even that would be too kind.

When someone molests a child, they steal more than innocence. They take a future. They take peace. They leave a scar that time rarely heals. Most survivors of child molestation carry lifelong trauma—silent battles with anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and in many cases, self-destruction. These are wounds no sentence can undo.

But in Mississippi, the system seems to value property more than childhood. You can be sentenced to life for strong-arm robbery, yet a child molester—someone who violates a child’s body and mind—can walk free in 15 years. One count of child molestation. Fifteen years. That’s it.

It’s appalling.

We speak loudly about murder. We grieve for shooting victims. But when it comes to sexual crimes—especially those against children—too many choose silence. Silence is complicity. Silence protects monsters.

Child sexual abuse not only scars children and destroys families — even more disturbing, it is often committed by a family member or someone the child knows and trusts.

In my six years as a reporter, I’ve written story after story about predators being sentenced for their crimes. I won’t stop. If anything, their sickness fuels my resolve. I will keep writing. I will keep publishing their faces until their names are etched into the Mississippi Department of Corrections roster. You violate a child, the world should know who you are, and you should be placed in general population.

To lawmakers in the Mississippi House and Senate: You have the power to make this right. Introduce a bill. Change the law. Make child molestation a mandatory life sentence. Because no one who does that to a child deserves a second chance.

There’s a special place in hell for those who prey on children. But until they get there, let them take their last breath behind bars.

Resources for children who have been sexually assaulted:

1. National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)

• Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Website: https://www.rainn.org
• Services: 24/7 confidential support, crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and connection to trained advocates.

2. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

• Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
• Website: https://www.childhelp.org
• Services: 24/7 support in over 170 languages for children, parents, and concerned adults; connects to local agencies.

3. National Children’s Alliance (NCA)

• Website: https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org
• Services: Coordinates a national network of Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) that provide trauma-informed services: forensic interviews, therapy, medical exams, and case management.