A Phoenix father, Samuel Rhyner, received six life sentences with an additional 73-years for sexually abusing his two daughters over the span of their childhood.
Rhyner received a life sentence for each count of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 5 years for the count of Sexual Abuse, and 17 years for each count of Kidnapping and Molestation of a Child. All sentences are to be served consecutively, resulting in 283 years in prison.
Throughout the trial, Rhyner continued to deny his guilt.
During his sentencing, one of his daughters shared a statement about the impact the abuse had on her life. “I have scars on my body, and even more on my soul,” the daughter stated. “He was supposed to be my protector and instead he chose to rip away my innocence. He will never understand the way he hurt me.”
In June of 2020, the Phoenix Police Department was alerted by a family member that Rhyner had sexually abused his biological daughter and stepdaughter over the course of their childhood. In the case of one of the victims, the abuse started when she was just four years old.