Privacy update — September 18, 2026: Identifying details have been removed under our victim privacy policy.
May 26, 2026. A 47-year-old Selden father was sentenced today to 25 years in prison followed by 20 years of post-release supervision for sexually abusing his own daughter beginning when she was five years old. The abuse started with inappropriate touching in the summer of 2015, escalated to intercourse, and continued until the defendant moved out of the house and lost access to the victim.
The Crime
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the abuse began in the summer of 2015 when the victim was five years old. The defendant — the child’s own father — began touching her intimate parts during times when her mother was not home.
The abuse escalated to intercourse.
It only stopped when the defendant moved out of the family home and no longer had physical access to his daughter.
The victim carried the secret for years before eventually disclosing the abuse to school officials. That disclosure triggered an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section, led by Detective Lisa Hofelich. The defendant was arrested in April 2024.
The Trial and Conviction
On September 15, 2025, the defendant was found guilty after a bench trial before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei of:
- Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree — Class B violent felony
- Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the Second Degree — Class D violent felony
A bench trial means the defendant waived his right to a jury and was tried by the judge alone. Justice Mazzei found the evidence sufficient for conviction on both counts.
The Sentence
On May 26, 2026, the defendant received:
| Component | Duration |
|---|---|
| State prison | 25 years |
| Post-release supervision | 20 years |
| Total sentence | 45 years of state control |
| Sex offender registration | Lifetime (SORA) |
The 25-year prison term is the maximum sentence for a Class B violent felony in New York. Combined with 20 years of post-release supervision, the defendant will be under state control for a total of 45 years — effectively the rest of his life for a 47-year-old man.
“It is unconscionable that a father would subject his own daughter to years of such disgusting acts of sexual abuse. Our hearts go out to the victim who was extremely brave in coming forward after everything that she endured, and we will continue to provide unwavering support for her as she navigates the path to healing from this egregious crime.”
— Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney
The defendant’s name is being withheld by the District Attorney’s office to protect the identity of the child victim.
Why Disclosure Takes Years — And Why That’s Normal
This case follows a pattern that child abuse experts describe as tragically common: the victim kept the abuse secret for years before disclosing to a trusted adult outside the home.
Research consistently shows that:
- The average delay in disclosure for child sexual abuse is 5 to 7 years from the onset of abuse
- 73% of child victims do not disclose within the first year
- Victims abused by a parent or family member take the longest to disclose because the abuser controls the home environment
- School-based education programs — like the one that eventually helped this victim understand that the conduct was wrong — are among the most effective tools for prompting disclosure
The fact that this victim eventually told school officials is exactly how the system is supposed to work. School counselors, teachers, and administrators are mandated reporters under New York law (Social Services Law §413) — once the disclosure was made, the investigation was mandatory.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse or sexual abuse:
- Suffolk County Police Special Victims Section: (631) 852-6392
- Nassau County Police Special Victims Squad: (516) 573-4022
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 (24/7)
- RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- New York State Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-342-3720
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
The case was prosecuted by ADAs Ashley Moruzzi and Alexandra Raso of the Suffolk County DA’s Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Lisa Hofelich of the Suffolk County Police Department Special Victims Section.
*Sources: Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office | Daily Voice *