LEWISTON, IDAHO (KLEW) — A Lewiston man will spend 30 years behind bars for lewd conduct with a child under 16.

Chad Heath was involved with running a daycare on the 1400 block of Cedar Ave. in Lewiston from 2009 to 2018 that the child attended.

According to the office of the prosecutor, over the span of nine years, the victim was taken upstairs to a bedroom and sexually abused by Heath.

Heath pleaded guilty to lewd conduct with a child on Nov. 28th. 2023. Nez Perce County Chief Criminal Prosecutor, April Smith argued for a longer sentence calling Heath a danger to the public. Heath will be eligible for parole after eight years.

In a statement, Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman praised the 30-year sentence.

“This case is every parent’s worst fear. Sexual predators like Mr. Heath deserve to be in prison for as long as possible and not in our community."