'You Took Everything From Me': Fugitive Child Rapist Confronted

BOSTON, MA — A convicted child rapist who spent more than two decades on the run faced two of his victims Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court. John Hartin, 48, had been living under a false identity in Florida and North Carolina since fleeing the state after he was indicted in 1993 on five counts of child rape. Hartin was convicted last week of those charges, which stemmed from assaults on two boys beginning in 1991.

Hartin was sentenced to 12-14 years in prison followed by a 10-year probationary term with orders to stay away from the victims, their families, and any children under 18 without a parent or guardian.

The now-adult victims, who were between 6 and 9 when abused, were granted the opportunity to speak Tuesday following his conviction.

"For the first time in 23 years, I felt justice was done," said one of the grown men who was abused as a boy while Hartin was romantically involved with his aunt. "It’s taken a toll on me and my family. I will always have to live with the nightmares. But I know he is locked away and he can’t hurt anyone else. I can only hope and pray no other child has to go through what I went through."

The other child who was abused, a friend of the first, said Hartin "took everything from me. You robbed me of my innocence and took my sense of security away from me."

Hartin used his relationship with the aunt and his role as a Big Brother to take a "father figure" role with the children, prosecutors said, sexually assaulting them separately and together.

Hartin was indicted by a Suffolk County Grand Jury after the boys disclosed the abuse, and then skipped town traveling to North Miami, Fla., and Walkertown, N.C. There was a $25,000 reward for Hartin and a profile on America's Most Wanted, but he eluded capture until 2016, when he was identified as "Jay Matthew Carter."

"Child sexual abuse inflicts a unique harm on its victims," Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley said. "This defendant exploited a position of trust and abused two innocent children repeatedly for years. He denied them even the chance at meaningful closure by fleeing the charges. For all they’ve grown, and for all the courage they’ve shown, these survivors told us that inside them was still a scared and wounded child. I hope they take some strength from the jury’s verdict and the chance to finally confront their abuser, and I hope other survivors who haven’t yet disclosed know that they will always find a safe, supportive environment in our office."

Previously on Patch: Boston Fugitive Child Rapist Found Guilty (Again)

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