HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl who was missing for a year and feared dead before she was found at his home.

Adam Gault took a plea deal that calls for up to 30 years in prison. Judge David Gold indicated Wednesday that he will give Gault at least 20 years at sentencing, set for May 19.

Gault, 42, of West Hartford, pleaded guilty to eight charges, including second-degree sexual assault, kidnapping, risk of injury to a minor and conspiracy.

Authorities say the girl was 14 when she ran away from her Bloomfield home to live with Gault in 2006. Police found her hiding in a small storage area during a search of Gault’s home in June 2007.

Gault’s wife, Ann Murphy, 41, and another woman living with him, Kimberly Cray, 27, also were arrested.

The girl’s family has said the teen worked with Cray as a dog trainer and got to know Gault, a self-employed dog trainer, through her. The girl’s stepfather also worked briefly with Gault several years earlier.

Some of the charges in the plea bargain involved another Connecticut teenager who made similar allegations against Gault. Authorities have released few details about that case.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who allege sexual assault.

Gault’s lawyer, Gerald Klein, said the evidence was overwhelming. The state had DNA evidence that Gault was the father of an aborted fetus and witnesses who would testify about Gault’s relationship with her, he said.

“It seemed like they had a very strong case, and my client agreed,” Klein said. “I mean, DNA, how can I argue against that?”

Klein said Gault told him he regrets what he did, and that he “needs help and treatment.”

A phone message seeking comment was left with prosecutor David Zagaja.

Gold declared Gault incompetent to stand trial in December and sent him to a state psychiatric hospital. Forensic evaluators had found that he was clinically depressed and unable to assist in his own defense.

Experts said Gault had dangerously high blood sugar when he arrived at the hospital, but they were able to improve his condition with medication and diet changes. Gold found Gault competent to stand trial last month.

Klein said Gault’s mental and physical problems were largely the result of diabetes.

AP-ES-03-05-08 1500EST