A man is headed to prison for preying upon and impregnating a developmentally disabled 15-year old girl.

Rudy Chandler, 28, was sentenced Thursday by Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy to 15 years in Montana State Prison, with 10 years suspended.

Chandler pleaded guilty last year to felony sexual intercourse without consent.

Eddy admonished Chandler in court.

“In your interview you agreed that you took advantage of this girl because she was developmentally disabled,” Eddy said. “She was seven months pregnant and didn’t even understand she was pregnant.”

The girl involved has the cognitive ability of a 12-year-old. She is unable to care for the infant that was born because of Chandler’s rape. Chandler’s parental rights were terminated and the child has also been determined to be developmentally delayed.

Prosecutor Andrew Clegg requested a 20-year sentence to Montana State Prison, with 10 years suspended.

“He didn’t take any accountability for his actions until he was presented with evidence the child was his,” Clegg said.

Clegg said a sex offender evaluation determined that Chandler blamed the victim for coming onto him. Chandler admitted to having sex with the girl at least twice.

Clegg read a statement from the victim who said that Chandler had offered to help her family while her mother was sick.

“Rudy said he was going to take care of us kids,” the victim wrote. “He just took what he wanted from me instead.”

Chandler must complete two levels of sex offender treatment in prison before he is released. Clegg estimates that could take between two and three years.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.