Hutchinson ? A former Trego County Sheriff accused of molesting his adopted daughter claimed Monday he was mentally incompetent to face sentencing.

Ryan Bloom was found guilty in October of molesting the 12-year-old. Charges included one count of rape, six counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of lewd and lascivious behavior for incidents that happened during 2005 and the early part of 2006.

Keihl Rathbun, Bloom’s public defender, said during sentencing Monday that the former sheriff was under extreme stress and unable to assist in his own defense during a motion for a new trial.

In written and taped confessions, Bloom admitted to fondling his adopted daughter and stepping into the shower with her. He also said that he would peer under the bathroom door and watch the girl shower.

Bloom, who also served as an instructor at Hutchinson Community College and the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, denied the confessions during his trial. He called them an idea concocted with his wife, Jessica Bloom, to spare his family harassment and humiliation for what he presumed would be a lengthy and widely publicized trial.

His attorneys claimed the confessions came amid threats and promises from law enforcement. They also claimed the state had no physical evidence to back up the charges.

Jessica Bloom pleaded guilty last month to aiding a felon and conspiracy to aid a felon by keeping the child out of state so that she could not testify against Ryan Bloom.

Sentencing for Ryan Bloom and Jessica Bloom is now scheduled for Dec. 15.

Bloom’s mother-in-law, Barbara Johnson, has pleaded guilty to felony aggravated intimidation of a witness in connection with the case. She will be sentenced Jan. 12.