MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. -- A Plymouth man faces a four-decade sentence after being convicted on two charges of child molestation.

Daniel Kneifel was first charged in 2023. An investigation began in 2022 when the Department of Child Services received a report of Kneifel sexually abusing a 13-year-old. At the time, no charges were filed due to a lack of evidence.

In January 2023, a second report was made to DCS involving the same child and Kneifel. Kneifel initially denied all allegations, but later claimed the only contact was a kiss where the child had been the aggressor. He later admitted to deleting Ring camera footage that captured the incident.

The total sentence is 40 years, with 38 to be served in custody, two years suspended, and one year on formal probation.