Man who snatched sleeping child, sexually assaulted her in woods is sentenced

A man who snatched a sleeping 7-year-old from her bed and beat and sexually assaulted her in woods near her home pleaded guilty and was sentenced Monday. Dedrise Barksdale, 25, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and kidnapping. Barksdale, who was acquainted with the child’s family, awoke her early on Oct. 10, 2015. Investigators said Barksdale took the child into a wooded area behind the home where he stripped off her clothes, choked, hit and sexually assaulted her. Barksdale then fled from the area. After she got help, police found the child’s clothing in the woods. Police found Barksdale the next day at a home in Newberry. Investigators said he admitted sexually assaulting the girl. DNA collected from the victim at Spartanburg Regional Hospital was a match to Barksdale, investigators said. A release from the solicitor’s office said Barksdale’s prior criminal record includes convictions for possession of a controlled substance, petty larceny and violation of probation. Barksdale was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He will serve 85 percent the prison sentence before he is eligible for release. His name will be added to the Sex Offender Registry and the Department of Social Services’ Central Abuse Registry.

A man who snatched a sleeping 7-year-old from her bed and beat and sexually assaulted her in woods near her home pleaded guilty and was sentenced Monday.


Dedrise Barksdale, 25, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and kidnapping.

Barksdale, who was acquainted with the child’s family, awoke her early on Oct. 10, 2015. Investigators said Barksdale took the child into a wooded area behind the home where he stripped off her clothes, choked, hit and sexually assaulted her.

Barksdale then fled from the area. After she got help, police found the child’s clothing in the woods.

Police found Barksdale the next day at a home in Newberry. Investigators said he admitted sexually assaulting the girl.

DNA collected from the victim at Spartanburg Regional Hospital was a match to Barksdale, investigators said.

A release from the solicitor’s office said Barksdale’s prior criminal record includes convictions for possession of a controlled substance, petty larceny and violation of probation.

Barksdale was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He will serve 85 percent the prison sentence before he is eligible for release.

His name will be added to the Sex Offender Registry and the Department of Social Services’ Central Abuse Registry.