LIBERTY, Mo. - A Kearney man has been sentenced to 18 years for sodomizing a 6-year-old girl.
Clay County Prosecutor Dan White announced that Mark Schmollinger, 55, pleaded guilty to statutory sodomy in the first degree in connection with an incident involving a child Aug. 15, 2008.
White says the girl went to Schmollinger's residence to get a bandage for a bug bite on her knee. She then asked to use the restroom, and was assaulted by Schmollinger there.
In his statement to police, Schmollinger admitted he victimized the child.
When asked how old she was Schmollinger told police, "I would say 7, but she is built like she is 13."
She was actually 6.
White says because of prompt disclosure, excellent police work, and solid follow up by social agencies, his office was able to get the 18-year prison sentence and not have to put the child through the trauma of a jury trial.
