Davidsonville Man Who Raped 3-Year-Old Receives Maximum Sentence

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD — A 33-year-old Davidsonville sex offender convicted of raping a three-year-old child was sentenced on Sept. 11 to the maximum penalty of 60 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a minor and second-degree rape of the toddler. Joseph Earl Carter was already registered as a lifetime sex offender from a previous sexual offense committed against another child, according to prosecutors.

In July he was convicted on five criminal counts, including rape and lesser charges.

"Mr. Carter violated the most innocent member of our community and received the sentence he deserved for his heinous crime," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess in a news release. "I hope this sentence provides some small relief to the family as they continue to heal from such a horrific event and know he won't have the opportunity to hurt another child. Judge Klavans imposed the maximum sentence and held Mr. Carter fully responsible under the law."

Anne Arundel County Police were called when the 3-year-old victim was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center Aug. 16, 2018, for a report of child sexual abuse. The child reported that her "Uncle Earl" had committed sexually abusive acts against her. The child retold the incident to a specially trained forensic interviewer at the Child Advocacy Center during a videotaped statement.

According to the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Carter volunteered to watch the little girl while his wife, the 3-year-old's aunt, napped. Carter told police he was never alone with the child, but his wife told officers that he was alone with her while she slept.

During the trial, the victim, now 4 years old, took the witness stand and was qualified to testify in court. Under Maryland Law, the child's forensic interview could be introduced as substantive evidence at trial under the so-called "Tender Years" statute. The jury saw and heard the child recount to a specially trained social worker the details of her abuse.

Juros also heard testimony from the emergency room physician who treated the child, the lead detective who investigated the case and family members who described the behavioral and emotional changes in the child after the sexual abuse.