February 19, 2019 – David R. Morris was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for sexually abusing his stepchildren, ages 11 and 12.
Morris was indicted in August 2018 after the girls’ mother contacted law enforcement to report the sexual abuse of her two young children. Listed on the indictment as Jane and Mary Doe, the girls were Morris’ stepdaughters at the time the offenses occurred.
“Mr. Morris used his position of trust as a parental figure to manipulate and abuse his stepdaughters,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “After his arrest, he went so far as to tell detectives that the youngest victim was the aggressor.”
Morris, 42, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape with force – all first-degree felonies, and two counts of gross sexual imposition – both third-degree felonies.
“The young girls in this case have been brave and forthcoming,” O’Brien said. “In their victim impact statements to the court, they stated their stepfather has ‘hurt us for the last time’ and said ‘goodbye forever.’”
If Morris is ever released from prison, he will be classified as a Tier III sexual offender and serve an additional five years post release control.
