MADISON - A Green County judge found probable cause Thursday that a former Monroe man previously convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child needs further confinement for treatment as a sex offender.
Judge James Beer committed Chad E. Baird, 27, to the custody of the State Department of Health Service for mental health treatment and set a February trial, during which the state must prove Baird has a mental condition that makes it likely he will re-offend if released.
Baird pleaded guilty in Green County Circuit Court in February 2002, after being charged with sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl in September 2001. Beer sentenced Baird to seven years in prison to be followed by 13 years supervised release.
Although a sex offender has completed a prison sentence, state law permits involuntary confinement for treatment purposes if a judge finds that the public would be at risk if the offender is released.
As Baird was due to be released from prison, the state petitioned in August alleging Baird remains a sexually violent person in need of further treatment in a confined setting.
At Thursday's hearing a forensic psychologist testified Baird is properly diagnosed with a form of antisocial personality disorder and a form of pedophilia associated with arousal fantasies or behaviors toward prepubescent children, according to Assistant Attorney General Michael Schaefer. Also, the state alleges Baird's mental condition makes it more likely than not that he would engage in unlawful sexual behavior.
Beer agreed the state presented sufficient proof that Baird's alleged mental disorder makes it likely he will engage in sexually violent acts unless further treated. Beer scheduled a two-day jury trial in February, when the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Baird remains a sexually violent person as defined by statute.
Baird's attorney Michael Murphy wasn't available for immediate comment Friday.
Under state law, an individual committed as a sexually violent person can petition to be placed on supervised release with a year of their initial confinement. They must convince a judge they no longer are likely to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.
Judge James Beer committed Chad E. Baird, 27, to the custody of the State Department of Health Service for mental health treatment and set a February trial, during which the state must prove Baird has a mental condition that makes it likely he will re-offend if released.
Baird pleaded guilty in Green County Circuit Court in February 2002, after being charged with sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl in September 2001. Beer sentenced Baird to seven years in prison to be followed by 13 years supervised release.
Although a sex offender has completed a prison sentence, state law permits involuntary confinement for treatment purposes if a judge finds that the public would be at risk if the offender is released.
As Baird was due to be released from prison, the state petitioned in August alleging Baird remains a sexually violent person in need of further treatment in a confined setting.
At Thursday's hearing a forensic psychologist testified Baird is properly diagnosed with a form of antisocial personality disorder and a form of pedophilia associated with arousal fantasies or behaviors toward prepubescent children, according to Assistant Attorney General Michael Schaefer. Also, the state alleges Baird's mental condition makes it more likely than not that he would engage in unlawful sexual behavior.
Beer agreed the state presented sufficient proof that Baird's alleged mental disorder makes it likely he will engage in sexually violent acts unless further treated. Beer scheduled a two-day jury trial in February, when the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Baird remains a sexually violent person as defined by statute.
Baird's attorney Michael Murphy wasn't available for immediate comment Friday.
Under state law, an individual committed as a sexually violent person can petition to be placed on supervised release with a year of their initial confinement. They must convince a judge they no longer are likely to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.