A 41-year-old Austin man who sexually molested a toddler was sentenced last week to 12 years in prison.

James Ray Watkins was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13.

Watkins was charged in March 2013 for the crime, which allegedly happened on Feb. 28 when the victim’s mother was not home.

Another young girl at the home told investigators she could hear the toddler crying through a vent.

The victim was taken to the hospital and evaluated for sexual assault.

Watkins denied sexually assaulting the child but told an investigator he spanked her, according to the court complaint.

Watkins will register as a predatory offender and will be placed on conditional release for 10 years after he serves his sentence.

—Matt Peterson contributed to this report.