James Alvin Hawkins, 40, of Attalla, was found guilty on Thursday by an Etowah County jury on four counts of child sexual abuse, according to a press release from District Attorney Jimmie Harp.
The case involved the rape and sodomy of a minor female over a two year period. The victim eventually gave birth to a child when she was 13. When it was determined that Hawkins was the father of the child, he fled to Florida, with assistance from the victim's mother, who was later charged with Hindering Prosecution. Detective Ryan Condy, who investigated the case, worked in conjunction with Florida police, Etowah County Sheriff's Department officers, and federal marshals to locate Hawkins. He was ultimately arrested trying to flee the apartment of another individual who was also charged with Hindering Prosecution.
Because of his prior felony convictions, Hawkins faces a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Judge Bill Rhea has scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 8, 2012.
Deputy District Attorney Carol Griffith, who prosecuted the case along with Chief Deputy D.A. Marcus Reid, said that it took a great deal of courage on the part of this victim to come to court and testify against the man who had taken her childhood away from her. "She has come so far, and was so brave throughout this ordeal; I am extremely proud of her for being strong enough to testify in the case, and proud for her to see that justice was done." She also pointed out that the case could not have been successfully prosecuted without the hard work from Detective Condy, the James M. Barrie Center for Children, and the Department of Human Resources.
District Attorney Jimmie Harp said that he was thankful to the jurors who were given a difficult task in the case, and who worked hard to reach their verdict. Harp said, "it is heartbreaking to hear the story of a child who has been abused over and over again at the hands of someone who should have loved her. This jury did an outstanding job; they were instrumental in removing another child predator from the streets in our county."
