ROCHESTER — A former elementary school teacher convicted of sexually abusing a student is sentenced in Olmsted County to 12 years in prison.

Sixty-eight-year-old Francis Skinness sat quietly in a packed courtroom Monday afternoon as family members of the girl he abused eight years ago read statements to the judge. The victim’s mother described the emotional trauma her daughter has suffered as a result of the abuse at Bonner Elementary School in Stewartville.

Reports said the victim also made a statement in court, telling the judge that it’s the first time since the abuse began that she felt safe.

Skinness was found guilty of three counts of criminal sexual conduct in March.