Walker County Jury Hands 70-Year-Old Man Multiple Life Sentences in Child Sexual Abuse Trial

WALKER COUNTY, Texas — In the first felony trial of 2026, a Walker County jury convicted 70-year-old Delbert Dewayne Harris of eleven felony offenses tied to the sexual abuse of children, delivering multiple life sentences after hearing days of testimony from victims and investigators.

On February 3, 2026, jurors found Harris guilty of three counts of Sexual Assault of a Child, seven counts of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact, and one count of Indecency with a Child by Exposure.

Presiding over the trial in the 278th District Court, Judge Tracy Sorensen ordered the sentences to run consecutively. The jury assessed the maximum punishment on each count, resulting in three life sentences, seven 20-year sentences, and one 10-year sentence.

Investigation Began in 2020

The case originated in 2020 after a 911 call reported allegations of sexual abuse involving a child. Walker County Sheriff’s Detective Tom Bean led the investigation, working alongside Children’s Safe Harbor, where multiple children who had prior contact with Harris underwent forensic interviews.

Investigators ultimately determined that three minor girls had been sexually abused by Harris.

During the trial, jurors heard testimony from the victims, their mothers, law enforcement officers, and a child forensic examiner. Evidence presented in court also described an alleged pattern of abuse dating back to the 1980s in Harris County that had never been reported to authorities.

Maximum Sentences Imposed

Following the verdict, Harris was taken into custody and transported to the Walker County Jail as he awaits transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Judge Sorensen also issued lifetime protective orders barring Harris from any contact with the victims.

Lead prosecutor Malori C. Martin said the verdict reflected the severity of the crimes.

“These three young women endured unimaginable and horrific abuse,” Martin said. “He stole their innocence and their childhoods. But these young women are survivors. This story will not define them, but this man will forever be defined by his crimes.”