A Caldwell mother arrested last week told deputies her religious beliefs prompted her to pray for her husband rather than tell police about his alleged sexual abuse of their daughters.
Sarah Kester and her husband, Lester Kester Jr., are affiliated with the Followers of Christ Church. The church, which has a prominent following in Canyon County and in Oregon, faces criticism for refusing medical care for children and adults in favor of faith healing.
The Idaho Press reports, After her July 11 arrest, Sarah Kester told the Canyon County Sheriff that she didn’t tell police about her husband’s alleged abuse because it was against her belief system to involve agencies such as law enforcement into personal or family matters.
Lester Kester Jr was charged with four felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16. Sarah Kester was charged with one felony count of injury to a child on the suspicion that she did not report the abuse.
