HAYDEN — A man who pleaded guilty to molesting his 4-year-old niece will spend at least three years in prison.

Ryan C. Glaser, 41, of Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty in January to sexual abuse of a child under 16, a felony.

Judge Lansing Haynes sentenced him Tuesday to 13 years in prison, with three years fixed and 10 years indeterminate.

Glaser is also under investigation for allegedly molesting a different child in another state.

The child’s parents reportedly contacted police in early December 2020, after their 4-year-old daughter said her uncle had touched her inappropriately at a family member’s home in Hayden during the summer.

She told police he put his hand inside her underwear while she sat on his lap with a blanket covering them.

Investigators conducted multiple interviews with the child and others before bringing charges against Glaser, according to court documents.

In a recorded phone call with one of the child’s parents, Glaser reportedly apologized for touching the girl’s private area, police said.

Police arrested Glaser at his residence in December and charged him with lewd conduct with a minor under 16, a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

Glaser reportedly pleaded guilty to an amended charge as part of a pretrial settlement offer.

He wept as he addressed the court Tuesday.

“What I did … was a selfish and disgusting and shameful thing,” he said.

The state recommended a sentence of 10 years fixed and 15 years indeterminate. Prosecutor Julia Schoffstall expressed concern that the crime was not an isolated incident.

“I think this court needs to send a message,” Schoffstall said.

Defense attorney Sean Walsh said the rest of Glaser’s life has been “honorable.”

“He’s surrounded by people who speak so wonderfully of faith and family and the importance of hard work,” Walsh said.

In a letter to the court, the child’s father wrote about the impact Glaser’s actions have had on his family.

“This has been a nightmare for our family and affected us much more than we could have fathomed,” he wrote. “We are held together right now by God’s strength.”

A psychosexual evaluation reportedly assessed Glaser as a low risk to reoffend. He has no previous criminal record.

Judge Haynes said he took that information into account, along with victim impact statements and other material.

“The remorse you’re feeling right now is appropriate,” he said to Glaser. “Remorse is only valuable if it leads to change.”