Her parents were trying to figure out why I was such a horrible liar, and that made me a pretty big target, she said. Stephens was also a babysitter to Nassars children, and in court, she accused him of rubbing his genitalia on her and digitally penetrating her among other things. As a young girl, Kyle was abused by Larry Nassar, a family friend, for six years as her family would visit him every Sunday for dinner. She remembers one mom in particular walking into court: "[She was] really quiet and stoic and said, 'I need to add my daughter's name to the list.' He was born on March 9, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the son of Chance Stephenson and Bonnie Taylor. On another occasion, he molested her underneath a blanket while watching TV on the couch. Nassar pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a child in November 2017. I'm addressing you publicly today as a final step, in statement to myself, that I have nothing to be ashamed of.". 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. The family moved to Brea, California in 1965; Julia's . She went on: "After my parents confronted you, they brought you back to my house to speak with me. 30, 03-Jul, Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Oak Harbor. Stephens blames her father's suicide on the shame and self-loathing he felt for defending Nassar. "Look around the courtroom. Ever since the Nassar scandal became public, the school's president and the trustees have insisted that "determined sexual predators" are impossible to stop, or that the survivors were just "ambulance chasers." Stephens told the court her mother and father became close to Nassar and his wife, Stephanie, when Stephens was 5. Kyle Stephens and her parents were family friends to Larry Nassar, a respected doctor for the USA Gymnastics team. teacher, father, and grandfather. Speaking to Nassar in court in January 2018 while testifying against him, she said: You convinced my parents that I was a liar.. Kyle is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ronald C. McGhee and Wayne L. Stevens. Stay up to date on the news from Silicon Valley, and how to take back control of your data and devices. The graveside service will be at 2 p.m. EST Monday at Hillcrest Cemetery. Kyle Stephens, pausing to compose herself during Nassars sentencing hearing in a courtroom in Lansing, Michigan, said the doctor, a family friend, began molesting her when she was 6 years old and her parents did not believe her when she told them. He is survived by his wife, Heather Marie Stephens; his daughter, Madison Marie Stephens; son, Brandon Kyle Stephens, Jr.; his dad, Michael Eric Stephens, Sr.; mother, Leone Elizabeth Gibson; step father, Marty Shane Gibson; brother, Michael Eric Stephens, Jr.; grandparents, Ann & Peanut Stephens and Lydia Scott; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. "But I still get sick at the smell of that lotion.". They knew they probably wouldn't be here without her. Kyle J. Stephens. Mark was born May 27, 1958 in Louisa, Kentucky and left this earth Sunday January 31, 2021 to rejoice in a reunion with . It looks like a courtroom full of survivors who carry deep wounds. She's only been known as Victim Z-A. hadnt yet deemed Nassars victims a sisterhood or an army of survivors. And many still lack this support. By: Naveen Rao - Published: January 17, 2018 at 8:14 am. For Rachael, this whole case comes down to just one question. Feb 14, 2023. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Stephens was the first of nearly 100 women who are expected to provide victim-impact statements during the four-day hearing. I believe, my mom definitely had lingering suspicions, and my dad probably did, too, but they had committed to believing him. On another occasion, he molested her underneath a blanket while watching TV on the couch. He committed suicide after finding out she was telling the truth. She was far from the first women (girl) he assaulted, but she was the leading charge in Michigan's case against him. Larry Nassar, a family friend, exposed himself to her in a dark boiler room. But I still flinch when my feet are near someone's lap.". In January 2018, Kyle Stephens became the first woman to take the stand against Nassar and tell her harrowing story. Browse Kyle local obituaries on Legacy.com. "Kyle Stephens. 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. . She told the court that her father had taken his own life when he discovered the full extent of Nassars abuse of his daughter. Kyle Stephens testified in January at the sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar, who was convicted of child sex-abuse charges in a Michigan court. Brandon was born October 29, 1991 in Fernandina Beach, FL and has been a life-long resident. Dick Backus. "As president, it is only natural that I am the focus of this anger. the way we ignore or sugarcoat our most vile issues to be offensive and a big part of our problem. Stephens, who was the first of dozens of women to read an impact statement against Nassar at his sentencing hearing, said knowing Nassar was going to prison freed her of fear and guilt. Father of Three Larry Nassar Victims Lunges at 'Demon' Doctor in Court, Disgraced Former Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Sentenced to 175 Years for Sexually Abusing Girls, Father Who Lunged at Larry Nassar in Courtroom: 'I'm No Hero, My Daughters Are the Heroes', pleaded guilty in November to several counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. But instead of believing her, Kyles parents demanded their daughter apologise to her abuser. I was always thinking about how I was going to catch him even as a kid, how to clear my name, she said. PERSONAL INFORMATION: Mr. John Michael Stephens was born in Cookeville, Putnam Co., TN to Michael Lowell Stephens and Lisa (Bilbrey) Meadows on Tuesday, September 27, 1988. Unlike the other victims, Stephens is not an athlete, but has known Nassar for most of her life. 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. The people who watched this sentencing, this case, play out in a way we've never seen before. Emma Winowiecki/Michigan Radio And show the predators that their time is up. In January 2018, Kyle Stephens became the first woman to take the stand against Nassar and tell her harrowing story. And while she and her father eventually "did the best to patch up our relationship," he died from suicide in 2016, Stephens told the court -- and she suspects his guilt over the Nassar abuse was a factor. 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. My parents told me they didn't believe me and that I needed to tell the truth And my dad, one time, finally said to me, If you don't tell the truth, I will make your life a living hell.. Simon resigned from her post hours after Nassar was sentenced yesterday. 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. Andrew Krivak, who spent 24 years in prison for the rape and murder of 12-year-old Josette Wright, was acquitted in the case Monday after jurors determined that a six-page statement he . I introduced myself and I'm trying to get some information from her and she just starts crying and she goes, 'She just told us last night that she was also abused.' "But he made up for it big time. When Nassar had charges brought against him, Kyle's father did what he could to make amends for not believing her. Heres why. But instead of believing her, Kyles parents demanded their daughter apologise to her abuser. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. By that time, 156 women had come forward to testify against him. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 6, 1942 to Calvin Heber and Edna Elizabeth (Cromar) Stephens. Outside the courtroom, Markham told reporters she felt compelled to speak for her daughter. She is preceded in death by her mother, Grace; father . And then Rachael turns to her faith, which has guided her through her entire life, but especially through this process of getting justice. ", "'You convinced my parents that you didn't stick your fingers up my adolescent vagina. My mother must live with her regret every day. Kyle Stephens stood in Courtroom 5 of the Veterans Memorial Courthouse, steps away from the man who molested her throughout her childhood, and she looked right at him. Rich is currently in the hospital and on a ventilator. Many wept as they told harrowing stories of thesexual abuse and emotional trauma he inflicted on them as children. "Perhaps you have figured it out by now, but little girls don't stay little forever. To plant trees in . The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. While reading her impact statement in court, Stephens revealed that her father had multiple mental health issues before he committed suicide. By that time, 156 women had come forward to testify against him. Paul is survived by his children, Victoria . She went on: "After my parents confronted you, they brought you back to my house to speak with me. Brent Calvin Stephens, 75, of Frisco, Texas passed away July 14, 2018. When I stepped to the microphone in that Michigan courtroom, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina I served . Obituary. When he left this world, he was my rock.. 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 . Kyle's father defended Nassar for years, calling his own daughter a liar. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Michael Stephens (Greenville, South Carolina), who passed away on November 29, 2020. She spoke bravely, describing the alleged sexual abuse while trying hard to hold back her tears. He was a father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and beloved friend. For one week in January 2018, hundreds of women and girls told their stories about Larry Nassar's abuse. Little girls dont stay little forever, she added. It was only when Nassar was arrested that Kyles father found out the truth. Former gymnasts Kyle Stephens, Rachael Denhollander and Mattie Larson tell Megyn Kelly about the sexual abuse they endured from Larry Nassar. The Disciplinary Subcommittee of the Board of Psychology approved theconsent orderat a board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 27. Norma M. Stephens, 96, of Suffield, entered into Eternal Peace on Saturday, January 22, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Once Kyle had been separated from her brother, Nassar would masturbate in front of her. After Rachael offers Larry forgiveness, she addresses us. For one week in January 2018, hundreds of women and girls told their stories about Larry Nassar's abuse. "Send a message that these victims are worth everything because everything is what these survivors are worth.". ", Kyle Stephens gives her victim impact statement. "But they were empowered by the other women.". Larry Nassar abused me. Nassar, 54, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison on Wednesday for sexually assaulting former gymnasts and other young women. Jim was born on April 20, 1933 in Walsenburg, Colorado to Geraldine Hudson McAlpine and Victor Paul Hudson and passed away on February 24, 2023 at his home in Amarillo, Texas with his family by his side at the age of 89. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. It was only when Nassar was arrested that Kyle Stephens father discovered the abuse had in fact taken place. And the reason everyone who heard about Larry's abuse did not believe it is because they did not listen. When she was at their home, the family acted as if she never accused Nassar at all. She told the court that her father had taken his own life when he discovered the full extent of Nassar's abuse of his daughter. 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