photo by: Mike Yoder

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St.

A man who falls on “the spectrum,” according to his attorney, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday for molesting a 5-year-old girl.

Philip J. Foster, 19, of Eudora, appeared before Douglas County District Court Judge Paula Martin, who sentenced him to 122 months in prison. Once he’s released from prison, Foster will remain supervised the rest of his life, Martin said.

Foster also must register as a sex offender for life.

“I’m sorry for my actions and my decisions,” Foster said before the judge read his sentence.

Foster added that he was grateful for the plea agreement he received, which would give him the opportunity to get out of prison “and make a better life.”

Foster initially had been charged with four off-grid felonies for sex crimes against the 5-year-old occurring in 2016 and 2017. He pleaded no contest and was convicted of two counts of lower-severity aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

photo by: Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Philip J. Foster

Appointed defense attorney Michael Clarke said his client had “unique circumstances” that prosecutors, under state law, must notify the Kansas Department of Corrections about. Citing information he previously filed with the court under seal, Clarke said Foster “falls somewhere on the spectrum” and would need fitting services and help acclimating to change when he moves to prison.

Prosecutor Alice Walker agreed to follow up on that.

Autism spectrum disorder encompasses a group of developmental disorders that can involve varying degrees of language and social impairments, including mild autism.

The victim’s parents spoke at the hearing, saying they were getting their daughter “the help that she needs.”

They said they hoped Foster would get the help he needs, in prison and after he is released, “to become a productive member of society.”