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SALT LAKE CITY - A couple from Sanpete County is speaking out against a man they formerly trusted, who was recently charged with sexually abusing their children.
They faced that man in a courtroom Monday. It was 61-year-old Larry Guiver's first court appearance since prosecutors charged him on June 11 with five counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Guiver's alleged victims are young children he treated as part of the family. He spent more alone time with them after getting a divorce last year.
He offered to take them one-on-one because there were six of them, and we were both working so they weren't getting a lot of one-on-one time.
–Joshua Simiskey, father of victims
"He offered to take them one-on-one because there were six of them, and we were both working so they weren't getting a lot of one-on-one time, and he offered to help us with that," said Joshua Simiskey, the children's father.
The children took turns staying with Guiver at his home in Cottonwood Heights. Joshua Simiskey and his wife, Wendy Simiskey, were unaware of what was allegedly going on behind closed doors.
"My daughter approached me one day after her second visit with him and said that he had been inappropriate with her and described some of the things that he had been doing," Joshua Simiskey said.
Five of their six kids, between 7 to 10 years old, told them similar stories, Joshua Simiskey said.
The charges are related to incidents involving three of the children. Charging documents say police found 4,230 computer files identified as possible child pornography in his home. Investigators also found 11 video files of possible child porn.
"Seeing him in shackles and county orange is going to give me a sense of safety and security," Joshua Simiskey said.
Simiskey and his wife say they want Guiver to go to prison, but their focus has turned to their kids.
"We've treated them more like heroes. They have nothing to be ashamed about," Simiskey said.
That's the message they stress. They also encourage their kids to talk about what happened, which they say has helped in the healing process.
"Our kids, they talk about it freely amongst their friends, their peers," said Wendy Simiskey.
Guiver is Wendy's former father-in-law. After her divorce, she remained close to him.
"I understand some people are probably worried about what people think about their family and things like that, but there's nothing for the victim or the victim's family to be ashamed about," Joshua Simiskey said.
Guiver's attorney, Susanne Gustin, said Guiver maintains his innocence and plans to take his case to trial. The next court date is set for July 30.
