Allegan County man sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual assault of minor

ALLENDALE TWP. — During a hearing Monday, Oct. 31, an Allegan County man was sentenced to prison for a 2018 incident of criminal sexual conduct in Allendale Township.

It’s been a “long road” for the victim — who was 10 years old at the time of the incident — and her family, said Ottawa County prosecutor Jacob Jenison on Monday morning. The crime was reported to police in 2020.

“The court understands the stress everyone has in this — I apologize for the length in bringing this matter to justice,” said Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing. “Sometimes to get justice, it takes some time.”

Christopher Babb of Fillmore Township was sentenced by Hulsing to at least 10 years in prison. Upon release, he will be required to register as a sex offender.

The victim, now 14, described in court the effects the sexual abuse has had on her. “Sleepless nights of sobbing, I couldn’t focus in class,” she told the judge.

Subscribe:Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Since reporting her abuser, the victim said she’s started therapy.

“I’ve become myself again after all those years of hiding,” she said.

Standing before the judge with Babb, attorney Ryan Maesen described his client’s life as “one bad break after another.”

“This wasn’t the way things were supposed to go for him,” Maesen said. “This is not a guy I think is an inherently bad person — this is a man with mental health issues. Hopefully, he can get himself to a better place.”

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Allegan County man sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual assault of minor