A Caldwell man is in jail after investigators say he sexually abused his four daughters. His wife is also in jail after she failed to tell authorities about what was happening.
“She stated that she chose not to go to law enforcement and not to go to protective services because it was against her belief system,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue.
The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Lester and Sarah Kester on July 11.
The family is affiliated with the Followers of Christ Church. Followers of the church are known for their faith healing beliefs and refusing medical care for children and adults, and instead choosing to pray.
The sexual abuse went on for a period of 16 years and until the four girls were between the ages of 10 and 12 years old, according to the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office.
Sarah Kester says she tried to protect her children by praying for the demon to leave her husband.
While Lester Kester admitted to various forms of sexual contact with his daughters and says he told detectives that he had been consumed by "a bad guy" or a "demon,” according to sheriff’s office.
For years, faith healing has been a hot topic debate in Idaho
Under the faith-healing exemption, parents are protected from charges when they decline medical care for their children on religious grounds.
“This is one of those ramifications where you've been indoctrinated to not got to the authorities when you know damn well you should be going to the authorities in a case like this. The Legislature has to take this thing by the horns and address it once and for all and really do the right thing,” said Donahue. “We're one of six states that keep this thing in place, that's an embarrassment. it truly is and we need to address it.”
Supporters of the exemption say faith healing is a matter of freedom of religion.
The Kesters are scheduled to appear in court on July 26.