A New Bedford man will spend the next 8-to-10 years in state prison after pleading guilty this week to rape of a child.

Forty-eight years old Manny DaSilva also pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Superior Court Judge William Sullivan handed down the 8-to-10 year prison sentence, plus seven years supervised probation after DaSilva's release.

Prosecutors say the attacks dated back to 2010 when the female victim was nine years old. Police say DaSilva raped the girl in his bedroom, then would make the victim kneel and pray with him to forgive him for his sins.

The girl disclosed the incidents to a friend four years later, who then told a teacher. DaSilva was arrested in 2014.

D-A Tom Quinn called the case "extremely disturbing." He says the victim is recoverng. Quinn says she is excelling in school and her psychological well being has improved dramatically.

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