Phoenix man gets 35 years for molesting child

A Phoenix man was given the maximum sentence of 35 years in prison for two counts of child molestation Wednesday morning.

Andrew Cummings, 59, wore a somber look as Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Gary Donahoe sentenced him for the molestation of a girl, who is now 12, over the course of three years.

Cummings pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation, class 2 felonies, as well as attempted molestation of a child and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, class 3 felonies, in June.

He was sentenced to 17 years on the first count of child molestation and 18 years for the second. The terms are to be consecutive. He will serve lifetime probation once released from prison.

The victim is related to Cummings' wife, Thelma Cummings.

Thelma Cummings previously pleaded guilty to a count of child abuse with sexual motivation She also was sentenced Wednesday for negligence and will serve six months in jail.

Though the incidents took place in the Cummings' Phoenix home starting as early as October 2004, the 65-year-old grandmother denied having any knowledge of what was taking place.

She also denied knowing her husband had previously registered as a sex offender before their marriage.