Northeast Nebraska mayoral candidate sentenced to several months in prison for child abuse
NELIGH, Neb. (KTIV) - A candidate for mayor was sentenced to prison in Northeast Nebraska after authorities say he harmed a juvenile over Tootsie Roll candy.
Sixty-one-year-old Ray Connot was sentenced for an amended count of criminal attempt; child abuse in Antelope County District Court. Court records show he was sentenced to 15 months in prison with credit for one day served.
Connot was originally charged with one count of Assault by Strangulation or Suffocation and one count of commit child abuse neglect and tamper with witness/informant/juror. According to online court records, the tampering charge and child abuse charge were dropped.
July 2025 arrest and candidate status
Law enforcement arrested Connot on Monday, July 6, 2025, at about 7:15 p.m., after being informed of a man identified as Connot who had assaulted a minor.
According to court documents, Connot was seen by his ex-wife grabbing her “adopted grandchild” by the throat, strangling him during an argument. Connot was reportedly upset that the minor had eaten his Tootsie Roll candy.
Court documents state Connot then forced the child to the door, pushed him outside, and locked the door. Authorities say the action was seen by the next-door neighbors who had contacted the police.
Documents also say Connot’s ex-wife told law enforcement Connot was seen pushing and locking the child out of the camper while camping.
Court documents state that while interviewing neighbors, they agreed to “write voluntary statements about what they had witnessed when Ray pushed the juvenile out of the home and locked the door and would not let him back in. The neighbors reportedly told authorities that Connot and his ex-wife had driven off from the home, leaving the child outside.”
Court records show the minor then went across the street to the neighbor’s home.
The Antelope County Clerk tells KTIV that Connot is listed as a candidate for mayor of Neligh in November. The clerk says he remains on the ballot as of Monday, Aug. 31.
Nebraska’s Revised Statutes 29-12 states:
To find out more about Nebraska’s felony laws, visit the Nebraska Legislature website.
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