Dade County man gets life in prison for child molestation

TRENTON, Ga. (WDEF) — A Dade County man faces life in prison for the molestation of his relative, according to the district attorney.

Judge Brian House sentenced 76-year-old Ronald Craig Neugard to prison on October 26, 2023.

Neugard was convicted of six counts. Those include multiple counts of aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation and incest.

The abuse took place over a period of three years, according to District Attorney Clayton Fuller.

In addition, Dade County Sheriff Detective Misty McConathy said Neugard admitted to the abuse during an interview.

Neugard is also a military veteran, who called several witnesses to testify to his character.

DA Fuller says he told Neugard in court, “draping yourself in that flag and using it as a shield as your victim devolves into tears is your true service record.”

The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office asked witnesses from a SAFEchild Advocacy Center to testify numerous times over several months.

However, they continually refused to participate in the trial, according to the DA. Because of this, DA Fuller said the victim had to testify before the court.

“The victim provided courageous and emotional testimony,” Fuller said.