Providence Repeat Offender Sentenced to Up to 20 Years for Attleboro Child Rape

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Providence, Rhode Island man previously convicted of child molestation has been sentenced to up to 20 years in Massachusetts state prison after pleading guilty to raping a child relative in Attleboro.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced that Vernon Harris, 66, pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court on July 2 to two counts of forcible rape of a child, two counts of aggravated rape of a child by age, three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child, and intimidation of a witness.

He was sentenced to 17 to 20 years in state prison.

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Details of the December 2024 Attleboro Arrest

The charges date back to December 2024, when Attleboro Police responded to a residence for a reported disturbance. They arrived to find Harris being escorted out of the home.

Family members told police Harris had been found in the bedroom of the eight-year-old female victim, who is a relative of Harris. He was found lying on top of her while both were naked from the waist down.

The victim said Harris had sexually assaulted and raped her, and he was arrested. During booking, police found a baggie on Harris’s person “containing a jelly-like substance along with a wet towel,” according to the D.A.’s Office.

The victim told investigators Harris would buy her gifts after he molested her, telling her she would get in trouble if she told anyone. She said he would also request her underwear from her. Police found Harris’s backpack that he had left behind in the home, and it contained a pair of the victim’s worn underwear.

Prior Conviction for Child Molestation

Harris was previously convicted of second-degree child molestation in Rhode Island in 1999.

Bristol County District Attorney Statement

"The defendant is clearly a very disturbed and perverted individual who continues to sexually abuse young children well into his sixties. In this case, it was his own family member,” Quinn said. “The defendant clearly does not belong in society. The family was very relieved that the victim did not have to testify against the defendant.”