Plainfield man gets 12 life sentences for sexually abusing two children

A Plainfield man is headed to prison to serve 12 consecutive life sentences for sexually abusing two children over a decade.

David B. Libby, 52, was convicted by a Will County jury in March of 12 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Judge Sarah Jones handed down the sentence on Thursday.

Prosecutors said Libby, who had unrestricted access to the children, began sexually assaulting them when they were young in 2004 and continued through 2014.

The abuse came to light when a teacher contacted the school social worker after one of the children made a troubling comment on a written test. The student eventually reported the abuse to the social worker, who contacted Plainfield police.

Police said Libby admitted to the assaults.

"David Libby is a vile monster who engaged in the repeated and horrific sexual abuse of two children from a time when they were very young and impressionable," Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said in a written statement. "It took tremendous courage for them to come forward and testify against this vile and unrepentant predator. They helped police and prosecutors place him behind bars where he will never harm another child and where he will certainly draw his final breath."