Rochester man convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) – A 74-year-old Rochester man was sentenced today in Olmsted County Court for repeatedly sexually abusing a young child.

Robert Charles Baker recently pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree sexual abuse. As part of the agreement, Olmsted County prosecutors agreed to drop an aggravated sentence in the case at her request.

The criminal complaint against Baker alleges that he sexually abused a six-year-old girl on multiple occasions between January and August 2022. According to court documents filed in February of last year, Baker became the target of an investigation after Rochester police were contacted by a Mayo Clinic doctor who reported that a young patient “may have been sexually abused.”

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Evidence against Baker included the victim identifying him as the rapist. Investigators also stated that the young victim “had an inappropriately extensive knowledge of human sexuality” while describing the sexual abuse she experienced.

The prosecution also presented as evidence audio and video recordings from a security system in Baker’s home. The indictment says the recordings captured conversations between the young victim and Baker in which he discussed his plans to sexually abuse the child.

Baker was sentenced today to 12 years in prison, as recommended in the plea agreement. The verdict also states that he will be placed on conditional release for 10 years after his release from prison.