Yesterday, a Collin County jury convicted 41-year-old Leslie Price of prohibited sexual conduct, and Judge Kimberly Laseter handed down a life sentence. Prosecutors said Price sexually assaulted his 17-year-old daughter, and DNA testing later confirmed he was the father of the baby she delivered. The case, which began with a delayed outcry in September 2024, moved through investigation, arrest, and finally a jury trial this summer.
According to a press release from the Collin County District Attorney's Office, Amarillo police first responded on September 10, 2024, when the victim, then three months pregnant, reported the abuse. Investigators seized two of Price's phones and obtained DNA samples from Price, the victim, and the newborn. Testing confirmed that Price was the biological father of both his daughter and the infant. The Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office also shared the announcement on its Facebook page.
Investigation and Evidence
At trial, prosecutors told jurors the case rose and fell on DNA results and what was found on Price's phones. According to Dallas Express, investigators uncovered searches about whether a 17-year-old could get pregnant, abortion options, and the age of consent in Texas. The victim gave birth in March 2025, and investigators collected DNA from all three, tying Price to the pregnancy.
The Trial and Sentence
At sentencing, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis called the crime “the ultimate betrayal” and said, “Leslie Price committed the ultimate betrayal; he sexually assaulted his own 17-year-old daughter and fathered her child,” according to the Collin County District Attorney's Office. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kathryn Burgess and Mollie Thompson prosecuted the case, working with District Attorney Investigator Michael Bennett, while John Rolater provided legal support and victim advocates Jill Moore and Valerie Miller assisted the family. Judge Kimberly Laseter imposed the maximum punishment of life in prison.
What the Law Says
Under Texas law, “prohibited sexual conduct,” found in Penal Code §25.02, criminalizes sexual intercourse between close relatives, including a parent and child. The statute is detailed in Texas Penal Code §25.02, and penalty ranges are outlined in an explanatory summary from the Texas Attorney General.
Community and Next Steps
The District Attorney's Office said the verdict “protects our community and delivers justice for a young victim who showed tremendous courage,” as reported by The Dallas Express. During the punishment phase, jurors also heard about Price's prior prison sentences for assault-family violence and engaging in organized criminal activity, which the outlet noted factored into the decision to send him away for life.
