On Monday, November 10, 2025, 56 year old Cornelius Sylvanus Burnett of 4668 Old Clark Place, Connelly Springs was was found guilty in Burke County Superior Court of one count of Statutory Rape of a Child by an Adult and six counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child.
Burnett was sentenced to 300 to 420 months in prison for the Statutory Sex Offense with Child by an Adult and 20-33 months each on the six counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child. The sentences are to run consecutively, for a total of 420 – 618 months in the Department of Corrections, equivalent to 35 to 51.5 years.
Investigation by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Burnett engaged in sexual acts with the minor victim over a period of time.
The victim reported the acts to a friend, who told a school guidance counselor about the sexual abuse. The Burke County Department of Social Services removed the child from the situation as the investigation unfolded, and the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a forensic interview of the victim.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center and Burke County Department of Social Service. Assistant District Attorney Jacquelyn Lane prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Brooklyn Byrd.
