First State Times

After one week of trial, a Kent County jury convicted a Magnolia man of 77 felony offenses in connection with the serial sexual abuse of two juvenile children. Richard Haines, 59, faces a 462-year minimum mandatory sentence and will be required to register as a Tier III sex offender.

“Nothing matters more than our kids,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “The abuse these children suffered is unconscionable. They and their mother were betrayed in the worst way by someone close to them and none of us can begin to imagine the long road ahead of them as they try to recover from the trauma they have suffered. Today we are making sure this monster can never abuse anyone again – and each day we are keeping his victims in our hearts.”

Haines’ convictions are as follows:

• One count of Attempted Rape 1st Degree
• One count of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child by Person of Trust 1st Degree
• 31 counts of Rape 2nd Degree
• 10 counts of Rape 4th Degree
• Five counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child by Person of Trust 1st Degree
• Four counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact 1st Degree
• 13 counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree
• Eight counts of Sexual Abuse of Child by Person of Trust 2nd Degree
• Two counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse
• Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child

In late 2020, the victims’ mother discovered Haines sexually abusing her 8-year-old child and called the police.  Throughout their investigation, investigators discovered that over the course of many months, Haines repeatedly sexually abused not only the 8-year-old but also their 14-year-old sibling. The abuse happened on a weekly and sometimes daily basis while their mother was at work. Haines would use the sexual abuse as punishment when the children were in trouble and would also punish them if they did not do what he demanded. During the abuse, Haines would make grooming comments throughout.

The jury returned their verdict on March 1. Deputy Attorney General Erik Towne secured this conviction with support from DOJ Social Worker Rebecca Scott, following an investigation led by Det. Ryan Wright of Delaware State Police Troop 3.