BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) – A Lee man convicted of molesting children at the day-care center where he worked was sentenced Monday to a prison term of 20 to 40 years.

Jesse Labrie, 22, could face a longer term following a hearing next month to determine whether he should be sentenced to life without parole under a new sentencing precedent.

After the sentence, Labrie apologized to the victims and their families.

Addressing Superior Court Judge Tina Nadeau, Labrie said, “I know that words alone cannot be enough, but I hope that someday in the future they may find it in their hearts to forgive.”

A victim’s mother, meanwhile, told the judge, “Every day I have to live with the guilt of not being able to protect my son from Mr. Labrie.

“I live every day of my life with the fear that these incidents will affect my son as a young man and in his adult life,” she said.

Labrie, originally indicted on 13 counts of felonious sexual assault, was convicted last summer. On Monday he was sentenced on two of five counts. He faces two additional trials.

Police said the assaults happened while Labrie was working as a teacher’s aide at the Discovery Child Enrichment Center and while providing after hours care for parents.

AP-ES-03-15-04 1910EST