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Daniel VanKampen and defense attorney David Glancy.
Man sentenced to jail for attempted child abuse.
#MasonCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor
LUDINGTON – A 29-year-old Victory Township man was sentenced to serve four months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for a conviction of attempted second-degree child abuse in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, March 5.
Daniel Aaron VanKampen, of 2985 N. Gordon Rd., pleaded “no contest” to the charge last January. VanKampen was also facing a felony charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), which was dismissed in a plea agreement.
VanKampen engaged in “unlawful touching of a 12-year-old girl” while she was staying at his house, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. “We consider this to be a very serious matter, especially due to the tender age of the victim.”
She woke up to him touching her chest under her clothing, said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski.
The incident occurred last May on Johnson Road in Custer Township. VanKampen was on district court probation at the time of the offense, Spaniola said.
Emotionally-charged letters from the victim and the victim’s mother were read in court. The prosecutor read the victim’s letter, and the mother read her own written statement.
“What you did was wrong in all ways possible,” states the victim. “You scared me so badly that I wouldn’t stay at friends’ houses or even sleep in my own bed.
“I learned the hard way what it means to be violated,” the girl wrote. “You are worthless and deserve nothing but the worst. I pray you never hurt anyone the way you hurt me.”
“298. That’s how many mornings I have opened my eyes to realize that this nightmare my daughter is living is reality,” stated the mother. “298 days of tears, nightmares and heartache. That’s what you, Daniel, caused my daughter for your one night of disgusted pleasure.
“My once strong and independent, I-can-conquer-the-world child, had shriveled into this insecure, unrecognizable little person full of tears and scared to death.
“You took a lot from my daughter that day. You took a lot from me.”
“You disgust me and I wish you nothing but pure hell for the rest of your life.”
VanKampen must undergo a criminal sexual conduct psychiatric evaluation as part of his sentence, and he will also have to register as a sex offender.
He was also sentenced to probation five years.
Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-11 months.
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