The Tender Care Learning Center worker accused of molesting several boys, including some at the Scott Township daycare, pleaded guilty to 13 cases of abuse.

Matthew Byars, 26, of Pittsburgh, will receive 35 to 70 years in prison as part of a the plea deal reached with prosecutors on Monday, Allegheny County district attorney spokesman Mike Manko said.

Manko said the agreement before Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Donna Jo McDaniel was not ideal, but it protects the abused children from having to testify during a trial.

“Any time you’re dealing with a crime with the sexual abuse of children, one thing you have to consider is the welfare of the children involved,” Manko told Chartiers Valley Patch.

Pittsburgh police arrested Byars in July after a 10-year-old boy told investigators he was molested and videotaped by his day care teacher. Scott Township police also began investigating and Tender Care immediately suspended Byars from his position, but that opened a floodgate of charges involving numerous other boys, including at least three who were abused inside the day care.

The abuse prompted lawsuits against the day care center claiming that the owners were told that Byars, who was known by many who worked there as Mr. Matt, had previously been investigated for molesting a boy.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Byars spoke only briefly during his plea hearing.

"I do realize the effect of my actions on so many people," Byars said in court. "I truly am sorry."

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