Convicted Molester May Spend Life in Prison

A man who molested his girlfriend's daughter over a two- year period in Temecula and Oceanside was sentenced today to 116 years to life in state prison.

Daniel Roger Hood, 43, was convicted in June of 11 counts of sex with a child and committing lewd acts on a child. Hood committed the acts between 2009 and 2011 while he shared a home with the girl and her mother in Temecula and later, in Oceanside.

The acts came to light after Hood left his cell phone at his cousin's home in Norco. The cousin discovered a video on the phone that showed Hood sexually assaulting the girl and called police, Deputy District Attorney Kevin Watanabe said.

During a subsequent interview, the girl, now 11, confirmed she had been abused by Hood, leading to his arrest in March 2012, according to prosecutors. The girl testified that she was molested by Hood while her mother was at work.

Today, Vista Judge Blaine Bowman denied Hood's motion for a new trial -- claiming ineffective assistance of counsel and other issues -- before handing down the sentence.

-- City News Service