An area man convicted of raping a child will spend nearly 20 years in prison.
According to Kay NewsCow Tuesday, Thomas Jay Wells, 25, of Ponca City, was sentenced to life in prison with all but 20 years suspended by Kay County District Court Judge David Bandy in Newkirk.
Wells
Wells waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a plea of no contest to felony counts of first degree rape and child neglect. He is now convicted of raping a 10-month old child.
Wells, who previously lived in Winfield and Ark City and attended schools in Newkirk and Ark City, was arrested by Ponca City police at his apartment in the 1500 block of east Bradley on Sept. 22, 2018.
In the affidavit, PCPD reports Wells allegedly raped the child on Sept. 21.
The child was taken to Blackwell hospital and later transferred to OU Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. Police interviewed Wells, who is said to have admitted that the child sustained injuries while under his care.
Ponca Police Det. Sgt. Brian Dye reported Wells gave several different reasons for the injuries including saying the child slipped while in the bath and fell onto a drain.
He did not, though, admit to sexually assaulting the child.
Wells also reportedly stated the child fell out of a crib and had constipation. Doctors report they believed the child’s injuries were caused by sexual abuse and not a fall.
Police searched the residence and reported finding a pair of shorts belonging to Wells that were collected as evidence.
The crime is an 85 percent crime, so he will have to serve 17 years of the 20 years and the court ordered no credit for time served. If Wells does not follow the terms of his sentencing or future parole, a full life sentence is applicable.
Upon release he will have to register as a sex offender.
