A jury found a Rome man guilty on charges of first-degree cruelty to children and incest Wednesday after finding that he had impregnated a mentally disabled girl in his care.
Orlando Lydell Cunningham, 46, was convicted of having sexual relations his stepdaughter, who was a minor, in March 2021.
Rome Circuit Assistant District Attorney Elisabeth Giuliani said the victim came home from school and complained that her stomach hurt. The girl couldn’t describe, or understand, what happened or why she was pregnant.
Cunningham was transferred from Rogers State Prison this week to stand trial.
He was initially arrested and charged in August 2021. A month later, while at the Floyd County Jail, he attacked another inmate, scratching his neck and biting his fingers. Charges regarding that incident are still pending.
He will be sentenced on June 21 in front of Floyd County Superior Court Judge William “Billy” Sparks.