Former Jay man sentenced

A former Jay County man was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison for child molestation.

Christopher Hidy, formerly of Pennville, was sentenced in Henry County (Missouri) Circuit Court to seven years in prison on each of four Class C felony counts of child molestation with a child less than 14 years of age, the Clinton Daily Democrat reported. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Hidy, 46, a resident of Windsor, Missouri, pleaded guilty in April to the child molestation charges as well as a Class D felony charge of tampering or attempting to tamper with a victim in a felony prosecution.

Judge Julie Highley will impose the sentence on the tampering charge at a later date. She chose to wait to decide on that sentence until a sentencing assessment report is complete.

Eight victim impact statements were presented during Monday’s hearing, the Clinton Daily Democrat reported, including several that were read by victims.

According to an April story by the Sedalia Democrat, Hidy was accused of sexually assaulting members of a softball team he coached. The incidents occurred during a July 7, 2018, pool party and sleepover for the team at his residence. 

The charges against him were filed later that month.