Newton man to face life sentence for sex abuse

A 49-year-old Newton man and sex offender will face a mandatory life sentence in prison after a review of his sexual abuse history during a court hearing last week in Jasper County.

A jury found Berlou Barnard guilty of four counts of second-degree sex abuse and one count of obstruction earlier this month in a case involving a 12-year-old girl. At an enhancement phase hearing last week, it was determined his three previous sexual abuse charges in Poweshiek County subject Barnard to a mandatory life sentence without parole. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 23.

Barnard was arrested in October 2015 after the mother of the victim reported to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office that her daughter had been sexually abused by Barnard. The child had visits with Barnard under the stipulation that Michelle Wortman, his live-in girlfriend, was present for supervision, according to court documents.

The victim reported four incidents in which she was sexually abused by Barnard. Wortman reportedly walked in on at least two of those incidents but did not tell the child’s parents about it.

Wortman recently pleaded guilty to two charges, child endangerment and interference with official acts, connected to the sexual abuse case. In her written plea she knowingly allowed the sexual abuse of a child. Wortman has a court hearing scheduled for April 16 at the Jasper County Courthouse.

Contact Abigail Pelzer at
641-792-3121 ext. 6530 at apelzer@newtondailynews.com