Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting 6 Girls From Same Family Sentenced To 30 To 87 Years In Prison
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- The Bucks County man who was found with nine former Amish girls living in his Bucks County home will spend several decades in prison, following his sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
Asked if he wanted to address the court, 52-year-old Lee Kaplan told Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley, "no matter what I said, no matter how true it was, the weight of the media, public opinion, and politics is too great. Do what you feel is right."
Judge Finley told Kaplan he was corrupt, perverted and atrocious. "Use whatever adjective you'd like to use," the judge said. And with that he sentenced Kaplan to 30-87 years in state prison.
BREAKING: Lee Kaplan, the man with 11 Amish girls living his Bucks County home is sentenced to 30-87 years in prison. @KYWNewsradio
— Jim Melwert (@JMelwert) September 20, 2017
"I'm not surprised, I am a little bit disappointed, it's a very long sentence, but they certainly were very serious crimes," said defense attorney Ryan Hyde. It's just disappointing to hear a number that large."
Kaplan was convicted of 17 counts, including child rape and sexual assault on accusations he raped or molested six girls over several years, the youngest victim six years old.
"Not only has he never recognized his actions in any way, how they've affected the community, how they've affected these children," said prosecutor Kate Kohler, "but he clearly doesn't care. He's not sorry for doing it."
In June 2016, police found 11 girls living in Kaplan's Feasterville home. Nine of the girls were sisters from a former Amish family from Lancaster County, the youngest two he fathered with the oldest sister.
The parents of the girls are already in prison, serving 3-7 year sentences.