Pedophile serving a LIFE sentence for sexually abusing a child breaks out of Texas prison as officials launch manhunt to find convict

A convicted pedophile serving a life sentence for sexually abusing a child has broken out of his Texas prison, leading police to launch a manhunt to find him.

Robert Yancy Jr., 39, was convicted in 2022 after a jury in Victoria County found him guilty of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. 

He's was sentenced to life without parole in June of this year, according to the Victoria Advocate. 

He escaped from the Clemens Unit in Brazoria at around 3:38 p.m. local time Sunday, according to officials.

Yancy Jr. drove away in a white Nissan Versa with the license plate number DNR9145 alongside his mother, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said in a statement.

He was last seen wearing a black beanie and a black sweater. 

At around 8:25 p.m., Yancy Jr.'s mother, Lenor Priestle, was arrested on a felony warrant, according to KXXV. 

Both she and her son were have believed to have left the county well before she was taken into custody. 

Police say the convicted pedophile was seen alongside his mother when he escaped.

His mother was driving the white Nissan Versa in question which suggests Yancy Jr. split from her after she helped him make his getaway. 

Authorities said Priestle was the sole occupant inside the car when they arrested her.

The public have been warned not to approach Yancy Jr. if they see him but to immediately call the authorities.

According to a news release from Victoria County when he was sentenced, Yancy Jr. abused the girl over a three-year period beginning when the child was just seven years old.

Both the victim and her brother testified during a speedy trial, with jurors reaching a verdict after just 23 minutes deliberating.