A 63 year old Gadsden man could be facing up to 20 years in prison, after being found guilty on charges of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12.

The jury returned in less than an hour, to pronounce Floyd Stephen Whiteside guilty of sexually abusing a child multiple times over a two year period.

According to ABC 33/40, the victim testified that Whiteside had touched her, in an inappropriate manner, starting when she was just seven years old – and the abuse continued for some two years afterward.

The victim didn’t tell her parents about the inappropriate relationship until she was 13 years old – at which time an investigation was launched by the Gadsden Police Department – with assistance from the James M. Barrie Center for Children, the Etowah County District Attorney’s Office and the Etowah County Department of Human Resources.

Sentencing for Whiteside has been set for November 2nd.

(ABC 33/40)