Jackson County man sentenced to life in prison for raping a child

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A Jackson County man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a child, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Jackson County Prosecutor Randy Dupree announced today.

Eric Dearth, 56, was convicted of three counts of rape following a week-long jury trial that concluded in September.

The victim was under 13 years old.

“Monsters belong behind bars, where there are no children to prey on,” Yost said. “This man will soon disappear from the memory of society, leaving behind nothing but the nightmare of his evil deeds.”

Dearth will be eligible for parole after thirty years. If he is released, he will have to register as a Level III sex offender for the rest of his life.

“This sentence should send a message to people who choose to prey on children: The state of Ohio will do everything in its power to hold you accountable for your heinous actions,” Dupree said. “I am grateful for the work of the Jackson Police Department in investigating these crimes and I hope this verdict brings closure to the victim.”