Several victims gave emotional testimony on Tuesday and asked Ingham County Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina to impose the maximum sentence. Nassar is already serving a 60-year-sentence after pleading guilty in July in federal court to child pornography charges. Steven D. Moore. Instead, they told their young daughter to apologise to her abuser. Oak Harbor. (Video: Kate Woodsome, Gillian Brockell, Kerri Pang, Jesse Mesner-Hage/The Washington Post). This is what it looks like when institutions create a culture where a predator can flourish, unafraid and unabated. (Video: Kate Woodsome, Gillian Brockell, Kerri Pang, Jesse Mesner-Hage/The Washington Post), Kyle Stephens, who was sexually abused for six years by disgraced gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, talks to fellow survivors about how she's healing. In 2018, the judge consoled the 29 women and girls who spoke, or had their statements read out in court, saying they should not blame themselves. Kyle Stephens, the first of more than 100 women to testify about Larry Nassar's abuse, says her father did not believe her and later died of suicide. teacher, father, and grandfather. Judge Rosemarie Aquilina wants him there so victims can look at him directly while they make their statements. Nassar pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a child in November 2017. And, worried the attention that could come with that, asked for complete anonymity," Kyle tells the packed courtroom. Stephens told the court her mother and father became close to Nassar and his wife, Stephanie, when Stephens was 5. I testified to let the world know that you are a repulsive liar.. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for the 54-year-old Nassar, who served as the USA Gymnastics physician through four Olympic Games. Mr. John Lee Stephens, age 81 of Sparta, passed away at 11:09pm Thursday, November 26, 2020 at Bailey Manor in Cookeville, Tennessee. Richard Todd Stephens age 57 of Linden, AL died October 26, 2022 at Marengo Nursing Home. There were times when Stephens said she would get into arguments with her dad and he would tell her she needed to apologize to Nassar for making accusations against him. Tiffany Thomas Lopez, a former MSU softball players who says she was molested by Nassar during treatments for sports injuries in 1999 and 2000, said she complained to Teachnor-Hauk that Nassar's treatments seemed inappropriate. USA Gymnastics Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Jennifer Rood Bedford, a former MSU volleyball player, says she told Hadden in 2003 that she was uncomfortable about Nassar's treatments, although Bedford said she was not specific about her complaint. Two of the seven --- Drs. She said that Nassar repeatedly abused her from the time she was six years old to when she was 12 when her family visited the doctor at his home. It was only when Nassar was arrested that Kyle Stephens father discovered the abuse had in fact taken place. It looks like a courtroom full of survivors who carry deep wounds. Nassar has pleaded guilty to molesting females with his hands at his Michigan State University office, his home and a Lansing-area gymnastics club, often while their parents were in the room. The family moved to Brea, California in 1965; Julia's . She says she was about 6 years old when he first exposed himself to her. Believed is a podcast produced by Michigan Radio and distributed by NPR. Almost 100 victims are expected to address the . Baby's body found after huge search, as cops quiz Constance Marten & lover, Bianca Gascoigne reveals very unusual name for her newborn daughter, I took pic of son, 18, before his first night out then the worst thing happened, Meg & Harry 'stunned' by King's 'cruel' Frogmore eviction 'punishment', News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. But I knew, when it came time to use my first tampon that my hymen wasn't intact.". She's like a talisman, the unofficial symbol of the Larry Nassar case. Additional reporting and writing by Keith Coffman in Denver; Editing by Leslie Adler. Pressure had increased on Simon to step down during Nassars sentencing hearing, which included a week of testimonials from Nassars accusers. ", Rachael Denhollander gives the final victim impact statement. "I felt like I was losing my grip on reality," Stephens said. Kyle Stephens was first abused by Larry Nassar, a family friend, at the age of 6. Place an Ad; Services ; Jobs; . And I don't have to feel guilty that I didn't do something about it., Watch the full story on "20/20" as ABC's Elizabeth Vargas sits down with more than 20 accusers THIS FRIDAY at 10 p.m. Masturbated in front of her. Her parents initially believed him and Stephens blames her father's suicide on the shame and self-loathing he felt for defending Nassar. Throughout my career, I have worked very hard to put Team MSU first. And, worried the attention that could come with that, asked for complete anonymity," Kyle . Stephens was the first of 152 Nassar victims to testify at Nassar's sentencing hearing in January in Ingham County Court. Stollak was one of seven current and former health-care providers at MSUput under investigation by the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for their actions related to Nassar. "Sitting on my living room couch I listened to you tell me that no one should ever do that, and if they do, you should tell someone. The people who watched this sentencing, this case, play out in a way we've never seen before. Stephens said Nassar convinced her parents she was lying about him hiding"lotion in the basement so you could beat your penis while I hid", adding: "But I still get sick at the smell of that lotion." She told the court that her father had taken his own life when he discovered . Attired in blue prison garb, Nassar sat with his head down on Tuesday and did not appear to make eye contact with the victims when they addressed him directly. For one week in January 2018, hundreds of women and girls told their stories about Larry Nassar's abuse. Sign up. Kyle Stephens claims Larry Nassar abused her for years as a child. When I stepped to the microphone in that Michigan courtroom, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina At first, a lot of survivors don't want to use their names when they face Larry in court. For Rachael, this whole case comes down to just one question. When I was six, he exposed himself to me in his basement boiler room. Prosecutors are seeking at least 40 years in prison for Nassar, who has already been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes. On August 16, 2022, Rich suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, on the day he was supposed to begin teaching Earth Science and Biology. And you. Kyle attended schools in North Carolina. And overnight, Kyle's words "little girls don't stay little forever" are everywhere: on protest signs at women's marches; making headlines in national news. He was predeceased by : his wife Jessica Davis; his father Ralph; his . The crowded courtroom remains quiet as she walks back to her seat. He was born December 1, 1964 in Demopolis, AL to William. "As tragedies are politicized, blame is inevitable," Simon said in her resignation letter. She still had not lost all of her baby teeth when she was forced into her first sexual act. As the final day of sentencing approaches, everybody knows: The woman who started this case would be the one to finish it. So the fact that his child would make such a heinous accusation with no pretense, really made me a target for [Nassar]., Stephens was just 6 years old when Nassar first exposed his penis to her in the dark boiler room of his Holt, Michigan, home, explaining in court: He told me, If you ever want to see it, all you have to do is ask. . [Nassar] tore us apart. Raisman tweeted Monday that she would not attend the sentencing "because it is too traumatic for me". They grow into strong women that return to destroy your world.. She was a retired Registered Nurse. He is survived by his wife Karissa; three children: Connor, Ryker and Ethan; three siblings: Cearra (Josh) Thompson, Kyler Tryon and Cory Stephens; birth father, James Howington, Jr.; birth mother . I've been coming for you for a long time," she says. He was . Aformer MSU sports-medicine doctor, Nassar is now serving a life sentence for molesting hundreds of patients. The police were able to obtain a search warrant for Nassars house, where they then found hard drives containing 37,000 images and videos of child pornography, leading to Nassars arrest. She holds the doctor responsible for her fathers premature death. That is unforgivable. Little girls dont stay little forever, she added. Through tears, Stephens added, Little girls dont stay little forever. Kyle Stephens greets all those attending . The graveside service will be at 2 p.m. EST Monday at Hillcrest Cemetery. Now, Athlete A, a new Netflix documentary, shares the stories of the women, including Kyle Stephens, who were abused by Nassar and their fight for justice. Obituaries-S. QUINCY - Hubert Sadler, 74, who retired as a truck driver for Gulf Coast Hatchery and a salvage yard owner, died Friday, Nov. 24, 2006. . I served . View our online Press Pack. In reading her impact statement in court, Stephens revealed that her father, who had multiple mental health issues, committed suicide. My father and I did our best to patch up our tattered relationship before he committed suicide in 2016, Stephens told the court through tears. Clyde Ray Stephens died peacefully on May 17, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. Brian enjoyed dirt track racing, Nascar, fishing, the Miami Hurricanes, and Dallas Cowboys. Her family was friends with him, she wasn't a gymnast. Published by News Herald & News-Messenger on Jul. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. But I knew, when it came time to use my first tampon that my hymen wasn't intact.". STEPHENS - Brandon Kyle Stephens, Sr., 25, of Yulee passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017. . Soon, Nassar began masturbating in front of her, placing his fingers in her vagina, and rubbing his penis on her bare feet, she said in her emotional testimony. Nassar became an assistant professor and team physician at Michigan State University, and was named the national medical coordinator for USA Gymnastics, in 1996. Larry Nassar wasnt my doctor. Stephens said Nassar convinced her parents she was lying about him hiding "lotion in the basement so you could beat your penis while I hid. After that, Stephens said in court that her relationship with her parents deteriorated, especially her connection to her father. Many of those who spoke during sentencing were critical of Simon and the Michigan State administration. Larry is brought in, his hands uncuffed. On the first day of sentencing Kyle Stephens, who blames Nassar for her father's suicide, revealed how he repeatedly abused her between the ages of six and 12 at her family home. The university fired Nassar in 2016 after the Indianapolis Star reported on allegations of assault by him made by former gymnast Rachael Denhollander. "But I still get sick at the smell of that lotion.". I believe, my mom definitely had lingering suspicions, and my dad probably did, too, but they had committed to believing him. He was so riddled with guilt and shame for not believing his little girl that, in 2016, he committed suicide. Stephens decided two weeks . "They believed Larry Nassar over me," Stephens testifiedin Ingham County Circuit Court. By the time he died, Stephens said her father had made it right. I wanted him (Nassar)to hear what happened to my daughter the fact that he started the process of her self-destruction, according to video posted on the Lansing State Journal website. Chelsea never recovered from the abuse and it led her to a life of drugs, culminating with her in suicide in 2009 at age 23, the mother said according to the magazine. Nassar pleaded guilty in November to several counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. NORMA STEPHENS OBITUARY. "My monster is gone," Stephens told "20/20.". 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