An Upstate man will spend the next two decades in prison for sexually abusing an 11 year old girl. The 10th Circuit Solicitor's Office says 35 year old, Austin Cole of Anderson pleaded guilty to 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, Thursday.
The charges came after an investigation that began last year. The victim and her sibling were found walking on Highway 28. When police found them the children told officers they were walking to their mother's house in Georgia to get away from Cole's abuse.
Officials say, the abuse began in 2023 when the children were sent to Cole's home to live there. Court records show that a photo was found on Cole's phone of him abusing the girl.
Cole has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, which is the maximum possible sentence.