A Pennsylvania appeals court has rejected a former Duncansville-area man’s argument that he received a lengthy prison term for the sexual abuse of a young boy because a Blair County judge was biased against him.

Robert Lee Zeek, 58, was sentenced 13 months ago to 24 to 48 years in a state correctional facility for abusing an 8-year-old boy in 2016 and 2017.

Zeek was described by the prosecution as the “trusted babysitter” for the boy and two girls of a family he befriended.

A neighbor overheard the girls discussing the sexual abuse, and it was reported to authorities.

In May 2018, Zeek entered no-contest pleas to four counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one count of unlawful contact with a minor. Seven other charges were dismissed, online court records show.

Blair County President Judge Elizabeth A. Doyle ordered a presentence investigation, and on Sept. 18, 2018, she imposed consecutive sentences of six to 12 years on each of the sexual intercourse charges and a concurrent sentence of six to 12 years for unlawful contact with a minor.

Zeek is housed in the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale.

During sentencing Assistant Public Defender Julia Lee Burke asked the judge to impose a five-year sentence, pointing out Zeek suffered from poor health (his leg was amputated because of diabetes), his lack of any prior criminal record, his agreement to undergo mental health treatment and that the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Review Board did not recommend he be classified as a sexually violent predator, which meant he was a low risk to reoffend.

The prosecution requested at least a 10 years behind bars.

Doyle rejected both suggestions in favor of the 24- to 48-year sentence, pointing out the victim will be age 32 (beyond Zeek’s reach), and Zeek age 81, at the end of his minimum term.

The judge commented during sentencing that Zeek had committed a “monstrous betrayal of trust” placed in him by the family.

She said in sexually exploiting the child, Zeek acted with “monstrous selfishness,” and in response to Burke’s argument that Zeek would be a low risk to reoffend, Doyle responded, “sometimes once is enough.”

Doyle stated a lengthy sentence is needed for Zeek’s rehabilitation and for the protection of the child and the entire family.

A Pennsylvania Superior Court panel on Wednesday issued an 11-page opinion finding the defense contention that Doyle was biased and prejudiced against Zeek is “meritless.”

Judge Maria McLaughlin, who wrote the opinion, pointed out the alleged bias arguments were waived because the defense did not raise them at the time of sentencing or in post-conviction petitions, but the opinion went on to note that Doyle, in her comments, was replying to points raised by the defense and prosecution during the sentencing phase.

The defense for instance contended Zeek was suicidal, but the prosecutor at that time, Amanda Jacobson, pointed out Zeek’s mental health problems arose only after he was arrested — thus playing no part in his illegal sexual attacks on the child.

The defense contended the judge’s comment, “once is enough,” indicated she did not consider Zeek’s lack of a prior criminal record or his rehabilitative needs.

The Superior Court panel found “no merit” to what they termed a “bald allegation.”

“Moreover, we do no not find the court’s statement that ‘once is enough’ proves the court did not consider Zeek’s allegedly low risk for recidivism, but rather indicates that the court balanced that factor along with other factors in the case.”

The Superior Court opinion noted Doyle recommended Zeek undergo a mental health evaluation and participate in the Project Point of Light, a program for sex offenders.

“In sum we believe the record as a whole, reflects that the court (Doyle) considered the statutory sentencing factors,” the opinion concluded.

Zeek did not speak during the sentencing hearing.