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Trena Gage is a few classes away from earning an accounting degree from Hamilton College in Cedar Rapids. School work has helped keep her mind occupied since the murder of her daughter last March.

"I was going to (drop out), but I decided I wasn't going to because it was helping me cope with everything," Gage said.

One year ago today, authorities found the body of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage inside a deserted trailer in southwest Johnson County. She had been beaten, raped and murdered by Roger Bentley, a family friend and registered sex offender.

The high-profile case was named the top story in Iowa last year by The Associated Press and has led state lawmakers to toughen penalties for sex offenders, even setting off debate over the death penalty.

"It's hard to describe to anybody how hard it's been," Gage said. "It's a mother's worst nightmare, with a blessing that Roger Bentley will be in prison for the rest of his life. If it weren't for my faith in God being so strong, I don't think I could have handled it as well as I have."

Bentley, 38, of Brandon, was convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping in January. Before sentencing Bentley to two consecutive life prison terms last month, Judge Patrick Grady called Bentley's crimes the most "despicable" he's ever seen in his 25-year law career.

Bentley appealed his convictions earlier this week.

Faith and keeping busy have helped Gage, 30, cope with the death of her daughter. On the evening of March 24, 2005, Gage was at class when Bentley snatched Jetseta from her Cedar Rapids home. Bentley had been working on the family minivan earlier that day.

The past year also has been difficult for Robin Walker. Acting on a hunch, it was Walker who led Johnson County Sheriff's deputies to the trailer at 4703 Orval Yoder Turnpike S.W. after seeing Bentley's name on a statewide Amber Alert. Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White, who prosecuted the case, has called Walker and her boyfriend, Danny Joe Hill, "among the heroes in this case."

Walker had taken Bentley to the trailer a couple days before Jetseta's disappearance to help her and Hill look into a possible break-in there. A suspicious blaze late last month destroyed the trailer. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Walker described the last year as having "a lot of ups and downs." Both her and Hill have sought counseling and have started going to church.

"I'm just glad that we got Roger convicted," she said. "I'm very satisfied with that and very proud of myself for that. He's where he needs to be, and he's where he deserves to be so that he can't do it again."

The high-profile case has helped inspire new laws.

Bentley's status as a registered sex offender sparked major legislative changes in the punishment and treatment of sex offenders who prey on children.

Earlier this week, the Iowa Senate unanimously passed a measure that more than doubles potential prison sentences for those who abuse young children and raises the possibility of a life sentence for a first offense.

Some Iowa county attorneys have criticized the measure, saying that having tougher mandatory penalties could make it more difficult to prosecute sexual predators because it inhibits their ability to negotiate plea bargains. The group also said the penalties would force most cases to go to trial, resulting in more young victims being put on the witness stand.

Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, said he expects the House to start debating the bill next week. Bentley was convicted in 1994 of lascivious acts with a child.

"Indeed, it may have made a difference for Jetseta. But my question, after hearing from county prosecutors, is: Will this make the system more difficult for the victim?" Jacoby asked. "I just don't want to victimize the children twice.

"Topically, I don't have a problem with setting the mandatory length of time they have to serve in prison," Jacoby added, "but is it good policy and how will it affect the children if they're forced to be a witness at the trial?"

The measure, which applies to adults who abuse children 12 and younger, puts in place an automatic mandatory 25-year prison term for a first offense. In addition, a judge could impose a life sentence if he or she thinks it is warranted based on the seriousness of the crime.

"I'm glad they're doing it," Gage said. "But I wish they would have done it before this happened to my daughter. I'm sad that it took my daughter's life to wake up the congress. This should have been done a long time ago."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach Mike McWilliams at 339-7360 or mmcwilliams@press-citizen.com.