Ramiro Morales, 39, who serially molested three minors between 1997 and 2004, will spend the next 30 years of his life in jail after being sentenced in Superior Court on Friday, the state Attorney General's office announced.

Morales, of North Smithfield, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of first-degree child molestation and was sentenced to 55 years, with 30 to serve, and the remainder suspended with probation.

Morales raped three minor children, including two with whom he lived, between 1997 and 2004, according to court records. One victim, a minor relative, told a parent, who contacted police. He was subsequently arrested by Cranston Police in December, 2008 and was released on $20,000 surety bail.

During the resulting investigation, police discovered Morales was molesting two minors he lived with. Both were under 14.

He was arrested in 2009 on the new molestation charges and has been held without bail ever since.

“Ramiro Morales is a child predator who violated the innocence of three young children. His heinous actions after being arrested the first time for molestation are a clear indication of his complete and utter lack of remorse.  I applaud the coordinated efforts by police to put Morales behind bars where he can no longer hurt anyone,”  Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said.

The investigation was handled by several police departments including the Cranston Police, Coventry Police, North Smithfield Police, and Rhode Island State Police. Assistant Attorney General Feidlim Gill and Special Assistant Attorney General Judith Laliberte prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.

Under the Jessica Lundsford Act, which Morales is subject to, any person convicted of first or second degree child molestation is subject to community supervision upon completion of their sentence, and anyone convicted of first degree child molestation shall be on community supervision for life, which includes electronic GPS monitoring for life.