Man, 75, admits he fathered girl's baby

15 Year Sentence Wanted for Child Predator

Man, 75, admits he fathered girl's baby
Prosecutor urges 15-year sentence
By DANIEL TEPFER dtepfer@ctpost.com

Article Last Updated:
Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 3:43:03 AM MST

BRIDGEPORT - Resigned to the evidence against him, 75-year-old Jimmie Kave pleaded guilty Tuesday to fathering a child with a 10-year-old girl.

"I molested a small child," the grizzled Kave admitted in Superior Court.

"And she had your baby?" asked Judge Richard Damiani. "Yes," Kave responded.

He then pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.

State's Attorney Jonathan Benedict said he is recommending that Kave serve a 15-year prison term when he is sentenced Nov. 15.

The girl gave birth in May, and both she and her child are in custody of the state Department of Children and Families.

Kave admitted having a sexual relationship with the girl beginning when she was 10, but claims she enticed him, police said.

However, when his case came to court, Kave's lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Miles Gerety, questioned whether his client was actually the father of the girl's baby.

DNA test results revealed last week show that Kave is indeed the baby's father.

Kave shuffled into the courtroom Tuesday, stopping about 20 feet from the judge. Appearing as though he might faint, he was helped by marshals to a seat at the defense table.

Asked by the judge if he was on any medication, Kave answered, "I'm a 'barbitual' alcoholic." Kave was arrested on March 22 when the girl's mother complained to police that Kave had impregnated her daughter.

The girl's mother told police that her daughter met Kave through an "Adopt-a-Godfather" program at Harborview Towers on East Washington Avenue, said Police Detective Benedetto Cortina Jr. Harborview is a Bridgeport Housing Authority complex for senior citizens.

She said her daughter would visit Kave at his apartment, and they played games and went places together.

Cortina said Kave came to police headquarters April 9 and gave a statement. He said he never forced the girl to have sex with him. Instead, he said he bought her clothes and gifts, and she repaid him with sex.

Last Christmas Eve, Kave told police, they returned to his apartment after buying about $100 worth of clothing for the girl. He said once they got home the girl approached him and began touching him in a sexual manner. This led to intercourse, according to his statement.

Cortina said Kave told him that, if he were allowed, he would support the girl and their child. "He said his door is always open for the victim," the prosecutor said.

Two city doctors, Mukeshkumar Shah and Ann Lule, who examined the girl and determined she was pregnant, were later charged with failing to report that she was abused and are awaiting trial.

Police said Kave has an extensive prior criminal record, including a 1984 conviction for sexual assault in New Haven.

Daniel Tepfer, who covers state courts and law enforcement issues, can be reached at 330-6308.

http://www.connpost.com/Stories/0,1413,96%257E3750%257E912815,00.html

[ Editorial comment by Stephen Mashburn: -- "But homosexuals in the Big Brothers Big Sisters would be different?" ]