Update: Teen Accused of Molesting Toddler Was Sexually Abused Herself

August 2, 2012 8:58 PM By Nastacia Leshchinskaya

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Ashleigh Geist, 18. Photo: Pinterest.com

Earlier today we reported that an 18-year-old Kansas woman has been charged with sodomy in connection with allegations that she molested a 3-year-old boy. Now, Fox 4 Kansas City reports that the accused teen, Ashleigh Geist of Olathe, was herself the victim of molestation at the hands of her father.

According to the Kansas Criminal Justice Information System and Johnson County Courts, David Geist, 40, began a 5-year sentence in May after being convicted on two counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor under 14. According to Fox 4 Kansas City, Geist’s victims were Ashleigh and her younger sister.

David Geist. Photo: Kansas Criminal Justice Information System

Bobbie Weaver, a longtime friend of the Geist family told Fox 4 that Geist molested Ashleigh when he took her with him on one of his trips as a tractor trailer driver. Ashleigh reported what happened, then took her story back until Geist started molesting her sister. Both girls then testified against their father in court. “When you’re a victim, you can’t help what you’ve been taught as a victim. There’s a story behind the predator, or the molester. There’s a victim there too. Her father was her predator,” said Weaver.

If convicted, Ashleigh Geist faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Because of the alleged victim’s young age, prosecutors are seeking the maximum penalty.