Mother speaks out after 5-year-old daughter sexually abused by father (Wheeling, West Virginia)

Dad JESSE BARERRA was just recently convicted of 1st-degree sexual assault of his daughter, who was only 5 years of age.

http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=79694

Mother Speaks Out After Daughter Abused by Father
Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2010 ; 08:50 AM
Updated Wednesday, May 12, 2010; 09:19 AM

Jesse Barerra is now behind bars and guilty of sexually abusing a then 5-year-old girl, and his ex-wife is speaking out to help other victims.

Story by Crissy Clutter

WHEELING -- “The last thing that I suspected is that it was him. He was my last suspect.”

But Rose Ann Johnson's worst nightmare had come true.

Her daughter finally admitted to her that her own dad had been sexually assaulting their then 5-year-old girl.

Months before Johnson and her husband, Jesse Barrera, 33, had split up, but suspected abuse.

However, Barrera had never let on that it was him who was doing the abuse.

“I had noticed before that my daughter was acting differently and about good and bad touches and for the first time I had talked to him about it and we were going to join together to find out what was going on with our little girl,” said Johnson.

Johnson noticed that her daughter began touching her private area, acting out and cutting her own hair, and she became even more concerned.

“And I said you and I are going to have a talk and tell me who did this to you and she said daddy.”

Johnson then contacted Cpl. J.E Dean with the West Virginia State Police and a full investigation was conducted.

On May 7, Barrera was convicted of first-degree sexual assault.

Because the victim was younger than 12 years old, he was subject to an enhanced penalty and received 25 to 100 years in prison.

Johnson said although she's relieved Barerra cannot harm her family anymore she worries about other victims.

“He has had several relationships with several woman and maybe I can help.”

Johnson said Barrera was sexually abused as a child himself.

Barerra has lived in the Elm Grove area for the last 10 years and before that he lived in California.

He will have to register as a sex offender the rest of his life.