A man accused of sexually abusing his Sykesville girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter entered a guilty plea yesterday in Carroll County Circuit Court.
Kishawn Lee Ward, 24, of Reisterstown entered an Alford plea to one count of child abuse and one count of second-degree sexual offense. Both crimes were committed two years ago. An Alford plea allows a defendant to deny guilt while acknowledging sufficient evidence to convict him.
Evidence of the abuse came to light in September 2001, when doctors at Carroll County General Hospital observed injuries to the girl and reported them to police, Assistant State's Attorney Natasha Byus told the court yesterday. Ward admitted to police that he had sexually abused the girl, Byus said.
On April 12, 2002, the girl was killed in a collision on Route 140.
Judge Michael M. Galloway ordered a pre-sentence investigation and a psychiatric evaluation for Ward and set the man's sentencing for Oct. 21. Byus said she will ask the court to impose a 15-year sentence.
