Father sentenced to life for raping his daughter in a Georgia case that almost never went to a jury

ATHENS, Ga. — A Georgia mother is grateful after a historic case lands the man who raped her daughter in prison for life. 

A jury found Michael Lareco Daniel guilty on seven charges, including rape, incest, and child molestation. 

The girl was only 14 years old when her mom found disturbing text messages on her phone and started asking questions. 11Alive is not naming the girl or mother to protect the child's identity. Both have a different last name than the father.

“He a lot of times was asking her to come into our home office with him and if she didn’t respond, he would ask her to delete the messages,” the mother said.

But the trial almost didn’t happen.

The Athens Clarke County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the case in 2023 after picking a jury because it decided it did not have enough evidence. That’s in part because the prosecutor, Robert Wilson, admitted he had failed to subpoena a key witness.

The announcement blindsided the family, including the daughter at the center of the case, who thought the trial was ready to start.

“I was shocked and then I became kind of angry because I wasn’t understanding,” said the mom.

RELATED: 'We just wanted to have our day in court' | Victim's mom urges judge to reindict father accused of raping 14-year-old daughter

That’s when she found Athen’s attorney Kevin Epps, who agreed to file what’s believed to be the first lawsuit in Georgia for a Marsy’s Law violation.

Marsy’s Law represents the constitutionally protected rights victims of violent crimes have in Georgia. Among them, the right to be notified and speak at hearings where a major decision, like dismissing a case, is made.

The judge hearing the family’s Marsy’s Law case agreed, the girl’s rights had been violated. The Athens DA’s office also agreed to recuse themselves from the case, allowing the judge to request the state appoint a new prosecutor to reassess the merits of the case.

That responsibility fell on Randy McGinley, the district attorney for the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, who decided the case should be re-indicted.

RELATED: 'So horrifically unjust' | Victims seek accountability when navigating Georgia's Marsy's Law

On Friday, proudly wearing a shirt proclaiming "always and forever girl power" – the girl’s mother expressed her gratitude to those at The Cottage, a sexual assault and children’s advocacy center in Athens.

She also thanked the Alcovy Judicial Circuit for following through with the case.

“If I didn’t have these attorneys, we wouldn’t have went back to court," said the mom. "But I also wouldn’t have found out how bad they messed up our case because they just wanted me to think that it wasn’t enough evidence."

The mother shared that when it comes to children, she wants parents to pay attention to the signs. She knew something was wrong and was committed to doing right by her daughter.

"When it comes to fighting for justice, make sure that you get the justice that you deserve because I could have easily taken that dismissal and not do anything about it, but it just didn't sit well with me," she said. 

But a jury, which heard testimony from both the daughter and the mother, clearly disagreed. They only deliberated for 45 minutes before returning with their guilty verdict.

While the judge sentenced Daniel to life in prison plus 50 years, inmates are eligible for parole much sooner. Daniel will have to serve at least 25 years, however, because in Georgia, that charge comes with a mandatory minimum sentence.

“We were really emotional and we cried. Happy tears, but sad as well because it’s really bittersweet because we are talking about her father,” said the girl’s mom. “I think the healing will actually start.”

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Sophie's Nightmare: How a Georgia mother allowed her boyfriend to impregnate her 10-year-old

Despite the outcome for this family, Georgia is not likely to see a wave of Marsy’s Law cases because most of the time a guilty ruling is just a public acknowledgement something went wrong. Victims can’t receive compensation and, unlike the outcome of this case, most cannot be re-indicted.

Still, the girl’s mother says victims need to have the courage to stick up for themselves.

“When it comes to fighting for justice, make sure that you’re getting the justice you deserve. Because I could have easily taken that dismissal and not do anything about it, but it just didn’t sit well with me," she said.

Have a tip for 11Alive Investigators? Text "investigate" to 404-885-7600 or email us at investigates@11alive.com. Your story and information are important to us, we'll make sure it gets to the right person on the team who may be in touch.