A man charged with sexually abusing an elderly relative is sentenced in Bartow Superior Court.  Forty-six-year-old Clyde Andrew Atkinson was arrested on November 18, 2022, and charged with rape strong arm, incest, sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, and exploitation of intimidation of a disabled adult or elder person.  The rape charge was reduced to aggravated assault with intent to rape, incest, and exploitation of an elder person.  The state did not prosecute Atkinson on the other charges.  He received a 40-year sentence with the first 13 years to serve incarcerated and the remainder on probation.

According to the facts of the case, the victim was in a rehabilitation facility.  The elderly victim was released and placed in the care of Atkinson in August 2022.  The abuse occurred while in Atkinson’s home.  Atkinson engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity with the victim.  He also touched the elderly victim inappropriately.  The victim was later taken back to the hospital and reported the abuse to hospital staff.  The victim died last year.  District Attorney, Samir Patel said it’s not believed that the victim died from the abuse.  He said some charges were reduced or dropped because the victim would not be able to testify.  Atkinson made an admission to law enforcement officers.

Judge Suzanne Smith said the maximum sentence for this offense was life in custody.  Atkison has a very limited history of criminal history and no charges related to sexual abuse.  His probation will include sex offender conditions, however only those provisinns that apply this crime.