DANVILLE — A failed marriage created a spiritual void that a 53-year-old man said he was unable to fill and led to relations with a young girl.

George Mills, of 114 Maple St., Mahoning Township, pleaded guilty last week to having a sexual relationship with his 15-year-old neighbor from June 2008 until January 2009.

Child pornography was also discovered on his computer.

Montour County President Judge Scott W. Naus asked Mills Thursday why he did what he did.

“I had a failure of a marriage years ago to a Presbyterian minister,” he said, continuing that it created a spiritual void. “This was a bad way to fill it. ... I couldn’t possibly be more remorseful or ashamed.”

Mills plead guilty to felony involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault and sexual abuse of children. Numerous other charges were then dropped, including aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors.

He will also be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.

According to the charges, Mills asked the girl to have sex with him in June. She told police she relented and had sex with him on Sept. 1 and they had sexual relations eight times through January. The incidents allegedly occurred in Mills’ home.

Police said Mills gave the girl a ring a jeweler confirmed was 14-karat gold inlaid with diamonds.

The mother of the girl turned over to police a letter Mills wrote to the girl professing his love. The note had included $70 for her to spend at the Bloomsburg Fair, according to investigating officer Mahoning Township Cpl. Clay Fahringer.