New Bedford Man Sentenced for Raping, Molesting 12-Year-Old Girl

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A New Bedford man was recently convicted of repeatedly raping and molesting a 12-year-old girl who viewed him as a father.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Christopher Baez-Rivera, 29, was convicted after a two-week long jury trial in Fall River Superior Court.

He was sentenced on December 14 to serve 12 to 15 years in state prison, to be followed by five years of supervised probation.

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Baez-River’s mother became the guardian of the victim when she was four years old. During a time when he and the victim were living in the same New Bedford residence in 2020 and 2021, he repeatedly raped and molested the girl.

The D.A.’s Office said the jury deliberated for just under four hours before convicting Baez-Rivera.

“The defendant took advantage of his relationship with and access to the victim. She was only 12 years old when he repeatedly raped her,” D.A. Thomas M. Quinn III said. “I commend the victim for coming forward and persevering through this very difficult ordeal. I hope she can move forward with her life.”