Stepfather will Serve Life in Prison for Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter
Jose Manuel Gonzalez, 47, will serve a life sentence after being convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child, and indecency with a child by contact.
According to reports, Jose Gonzalez initially met Clara Santos, the mother of Clarisa Santos, in Bedford where they worked at the same property. Clara Santos was married when she began a relationship with Gonzalez, but she eventually divorced and married Gonzalez.
The couple moved to Robinson when Clarisa was 5 and gave birth to a boy named Joseph. Gonzalez claims that his stepdaughter was angry with him for destroying her parent's marriage, and became jealous when her brother was born.
Jose Gonzalez also admits to cheating on Clara Santos, and alleges that his wife told him she could "get rid of him."
Gonzalez began sexually abusing his daughter when she was only 8 years of age. The Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children recorded a 2-hour interview of Clarisa Santos, in which she described the abuse she faced.
Forensic evidence on a sex toy even contained the DNA of Jose Gonzalez as well as Clarisa Santos. Gonzalez could not explain to the jury how Clarisa's DNA ended up on the sex toy.
Unfortunately, Clarisa Santos committed suicide only one day after being served with a subpoena to testify against Gonzalez.
Jurors on the case deliberated for 30 minutes on the conviction, and only 15 minutes when determining sentencing.