A Bronx school janitor was given a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting an 8-year-old student, Bronx District Attorney's Office confirmed on Wednesday. Cesar Ortega Licona, the 45-year-old janitor from Yonkers, admitted to the first-degree Sexual Abuse of a second-grader in a vacant classroom at a public school.
The incident, which occurred last December, saw Licona bringing the young girl into an empty classroom around 3:45 p.m., where the assault took place. Following the attack, the child managed to escape and sought help, which led to Licona's arrest and subsequent connection to the crime through DNA evidence. According to the Bronx District Attorney's Office press release, after serving his sentence, Licona is also required to register, as a sex offender.
"The defendant grabbed a little girl and abused her, in what should be a haven for children," District Attorney Darcel D. Clark was quoted in the report as per the Bronx District Attorney's Office release. Her office highlighted the serious violation of trust and the importance of the sentence delivered by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Laurence Busching, demonstrating the justice system's response to such egregious acts committed in places meant to offer safety to the community's most vulnerable.
The handling of the case by the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, under various supervisory levels, including Chief Joseph Muroff, Deputy Chiefs Johanna Hernandez and Alexandra Militano, and Chief Mimi Mairs, was acknowledged by the DA. The prosecutorial effort led by Assistant District Attorney Camila Sosa was instrumental, as was the work of Trial Preparation Assistant Sara Gissel and NYPD Officer Jessica Zerbo from the 52nd Precinct, whom the DA also thanked for their respective roles in securing the conviction.
