A Bethel man will serve 60 years for sexually abusing a child left in his care

Matt Atcherian, 27, will serve 60 years in prison for sexually abusing a child under 13 who had been left in his care. A Bethel Superior Court judge imposed the sentence in June, along with 20 years of supervision, and Atcherian must register as a sex offender.

The abuse occurred in June 2020. The child's parents found evidence of injuries, took the child to a clinic, and reported it to law enforcement, and Alaska State Troopers investigated. Atcherian was found guilty on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

At sentencing, the child's mother described the effect of the abuse on the child and the family. The state's account contains no statement from Atcherian or his defense.