Peach County, GA – On Thursday, September 25, 2025, 53-year-old Richard Burke was sentenced to 30 years with the first 19 years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections. Burke plead guilty to
Child Molestation and Sexual Exploitation of Children in Peach County Superior Court and received a serious sentence for the Child Molestation charge.
The case originated on November 17, 2023, when Byron Police Department officers responded to a residence regarding a sexual assault that had been captured on video surveillance. The victim’s mother reported that Burke, her ex-boyfriend who had been living in the home, was serving as a babysitter for her four-year-old daughter, who is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal.
The mother told officers that Burke had been alone with her daughter the previous evening, and security footage from that night revealed him sexually assaulting the child. Upon reviewing the video evidence,
officers immediately arrested Burke and seized two of his cell phones. A subsequent search of the devices revealed explicit photographs of minors.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Taylor Wilson led the prosecution team for the Macon Judicial Circuit. Burke entered his guilty plea after his case had been announced ready for trial earlier this month.
“This 30-year sentence sends a clear message that our office will relentlessly pursue justice for those who prey on children,” said District Attorney Anita Howard. “When someone betrays the trust placed in them to care for a child, especially a vulnerable, non-verbal child with autism, they will face the full consequences of their actions. We will never tolerate such evil in our community. We commend the victim’s mother for her courage in coming forward and the Byron Police Department for their immediate action in protecting this child and ensuring this predator was removed from our streets.”
The case demonstrates the critical importance of parental awareness in protecting children from predators. The Macon Judicial Circuit continues to prioritize the prosecution of crimes against children and works closely with law enforcement agencies throughout the circuit to ensure swift justice.
