Cobb County man sentenced to life without parole for sexually abusing newborn

A 27-year-old Cobb County man will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to dozens of counts of rape, child molestation, sexual exploitation, and more.

Authorities with the Cobb County District Attorney's Office say the abuse in the case began when the victim was only a month old and continued until the child was six months old.

In court on Thursday, a Cobb judge sentenced Marcel Moreland to life in prison without parole plus 490 years.

"This sentence sends a clear message: if you prey upon our children, we will pursue you with every tool the law gives us," said District Attorney Sonya F. Allen. "There are crimes that shock the conscience, and the sexual abuse and exploitation of an infant is among the most unimaginable. This child deserved protection from the person entrusted to care for her. Instead, she was victimized in the most horrific way."

Allen said that the sentence reflected the "unimaginable harm" that Moreland caused to his victim. 

"This doesn't erase what happened, but it can make certain that this defendant never has the opportunity to harm another child," she said. 

Authorities have not shared any details about the case.