EAU CLAIRE, WI (WTAQ) - A former Altoona day care center worker in Eau Claire was sentenced to 24 years in prison for sexually assaulting six children who were under his care at the facility

26 year old Thomas J. West pleaded guilty to six felony counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13.

Even the defendant called his own actions vile and cowardly as he stood to accept the sentence.

Police said the initial investigation showed West had sexual contact with a 4 year old boy at the Altoona Day Care Center and a 6 year old child at the child’s home.

The trail of evidence led to four additional victims.