Babysitter guilty of sexually abusing child in San Luis Obispo

October 11, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

A judge sentenced a 23-year-old babysitter to five years in prison on Friday for repeatedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl he was watching in San Luis Obispo.

After an eight-day trial, the jury concluded that Tanner Fite committed four separate sexual acts against the child on October 15, 2023. The evidence included cyber forensic data retrieved from the defendant’s cell phone which showed that he had watched 25 pornographic videos during the time he was babysitting the child.

At today’s sentencing hearing, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Jesse Marino noted that three factors actually contribute to the upset:

• The victim was particularly at risk
• Fite took advantage of a position of trust in committing the crimes
• Fite has behaved violently, indicating a serious danger to society.

Judge Marino also concluded that there were two mitigating factors:

• Fite had a minor history of criminal behavior and
• Fite was under 26 years old (he was 22) at the time the crimes were committed.

“In San Luis Obispo County, we aggressively prosecute child molesters and fully enforce California laws to protect children – our most vulnerable citizens,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “While we are disappointed by the lenient sentence, I am very proud of the young victim who showed tremendous strength in reporting the crime and later testifying in court.”