A former day care worker convicted of forcible sodomy of a 4-year-old boy will spend 15 years in prison.

Thomas Daniel Nuckles, who was convicted in March, was a teacher at Country Bear Day School on Starkey Road in Roanoke County in early 2006. He was accused of molesting a student at the school.

A Roanoke County Circuit Court judge this afternoon sentenced Nuckles to 40 years, suspended after he serves 15. Nuckles faced a maximum possible punishment of life in prison.