CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a 3-month-old infant, an act witnessed in real-time by the child’s parents through a video call.
On Tuesday, a judge handed down the sentence to 29-year-old Aaron Jacob Wingerson, who will be required to serve at least 17 ½ years before being eligible for parole. He will also be listed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life.
The disturbing incident occurred in February 2024, when the baby’s parents briefly stepped out of Wingerson’s apartment and monitored their child through a FaceTime call. Through the app, they saw Wingerson begin to abuse the baby. Unable to get back inside, the parents kicked down the door, but Wingerson had already fled the scene.
He was later arrested by Cedar Rapids Police and confessed to the crime. Prosecutors revealed that Wingerson admitted to planning the assault in advance.
The case shocked the community and has sparked renewed calls for stricter penalties for child sex offenders.
