Felton man sentenced for repeated child sexual abuse

Officials say that a man has been sentenced in Dover for repeated child rape.

According to Delaware Department of Justice officials, 47-year-old Vernon Cephas of Felton, was sentenced to 79 years in prison. In early 2015, Cephas was arrested after the mother of a young girl reported the abuse. The child regularly stayed with a relative who lived with Cephas.

A jury found Cephas guilty of four counts of unlawful sexual contact of a person less than 13 years of age, three counts of second degree rape, and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, and sexual solicitation of a child.

After the 79 year sentence, Cephas is ordered to complete two years of probation.