A Huntington Beach man was sentenced Friday to 65 years to life in state prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled 7-year-old girl.

Daniel Vlas Flores, 30, was found guilty in April of multiple sex crimes against a child, including kidnapping, sodomy and intercourse. His victim only managed to escape because of the efforts of her 8-year-old friend, who managed to get into Flores' apartment and rescue her.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Lance Jensen sentenced Flores to the maximum possible sentence, calling Flores' behavior “an atrocity” and the victim's young rescuer a “true hero.”

During the trial, witnesses testified that Flores asked the 7-year-old girl for help moving furniture.

Flores pulled the girl by the hand and ran with her to his nearby apartment while she repeatedly told him she did not want to go. He took her inside his apartment and sexually assaulted her. The girl's 8-year-old friend became concerned when the victim did not return and went to look for her. The friend went to the apartment and was able to unlatch a sliding door and open it slightly. With the door open, the victim was able to run out of the room and escape.

The victim immediately told her mother about the sexual assault and Huntington Beach police arrested Flores the same day.

Investigators were able to link Flores to the crimes with DNA evidence.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim’s father said the girl was still in therapy and recovering, and that their entire family was traumatized because of Flores. He said the family had moved out of the state to get away from the place where his daughter was victimized.

ALSO:

Natalie Wood death probe yields more unanswered questions

Suspected great white shark attacks kayaker near Santa Cruz

Tom Cruise divorce agreement gives Katie Holmes primary custody

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Daniel Vlas Flores. Credit: Orange County district attorney's office