Santa Fe Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Abusing 4- and 5-Year-Old Girls
SANTA FE, Texas – A Santa Fe resident has been sentenced to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole for the long-term sexual abuse of two young girls that began more than a decade ago.
Christopher Herod, now 48, was convicted of continuous sexual abuse of two children who were just 4 and 5 years old when the abuse began around 2010. The disturbing pattern of abuse continued for several years before it was finally brought to light.
The case unraveled when one of the girls bravely confided in her mother’s fiancé about the abuse. Not long after, the second girl also stepped forward with similar allegations. Their disclosures led to a full investigation by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, which revealed that the assaults occurred in the victims’ home when their mother was away.
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Following a thorough investigation and a trial in Galveston County, a jury found Herod guilty on Thursday. Facing the possibility of a longer sentence, Herod agreed to a 25-year plea deal immediately after his conviction and waived his right to appeal.
A Step Toward Healing
Prosecutor Whitaker Chisam expressed hope for the victims’ future in a statement after the sentencing:
“I’m happiest for the victims. After all these years, they can now move forward to the next chapter in their lives knowing that they received some form of justice for the horrible things they endured.”
The 25-year sentence, while not erasing the trauma these young women experienced, marks a significant step toward accountability and closure in a case that remained hidden for far too long.
If You or Someone You Know Is Experiencing Abuse
Support is available. If you suspect or know of child abuse, contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). You can also reach out to local law enforcement or a child advocacy center for help.
