Harr sentenced to 20 years on child molesting charges
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

When Herbert Harr turns 82 he will have served his sentence for molesting his granddaughter. The 62-year-old of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced on Monday, February 7, in Ripley County Circuit Court.

A Ripley County jury heard the details of the molestation in a trial in January. They heard how Harr had molested a granddaughter while on a family outing over the July Fourth weekend in 2002. This occurred at the Bischoff's Reservoir near Batesville.

During the penalty phase of the trial, the jury learned that Harr had previously molested three other family members. For the latest crime, he was charged and found guilty of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Class B Felony; and Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, a Class C Felony.

Ripley County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ryan King prosecuted the case and recommended the maximum sentence allowed by law - consecutive sentences that would total 28 years. It was noted that King made the recommendation due to the "heinous and continuing nature of these acts that affected two generations of this family."

After hearing all the evidence presented, testimony from Harr's wife and his former employer, the defendant was sentenced to 20 years and 8 years on the two felonies. They will be served concurrent instead of consecutive, meaning Harr will be serving 20 years. Due to the age of Harr, the sentence will take him off the streets for many years, and hopefully he won't have the opportunity to molest again.

The case was initially reported to Batesville's Lt. Det. Stan Holt. The detective was aggressive in pursuing the case and along with cooperation from various law enforcement agencies was able to put together a solid case.

Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel noted that he "hopes that these victims can now piece together their lives and have some sense of closure." He concluded by saying he "hopes that this sentence will act as a deterrent to 'would-be' offenders."