FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Authorities are searching for a man who left court during his sex abuse trial in Fort Worth and never returned.

A Tarrant County sheriff's office spokesman says authorities continued to search for 34-year-old Jayson Neal Sparks on Friday, two days after he left his trial.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (http://bit.ly/2aKbQZR ) reports Sparks testified in his defense Wednesday. The judge then called a lunch break. Sparks, who was free on bail, left the courtroom.

Defense attorney Patrick Curran said his client returned from lunch but then excused himself to make a phone call — but never returned. Curran says, "It's difficult for everyone involved."

Sparks was found guilty Wednesday afternoon of one count of continuous sex abuse of a child under 14. He was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison.

 

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