PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Zachary Thomas Turner said he took advantage of his role as a babysitter as he admitted to rape, sodomy attempted sodomy and sexual abuse of 2 young girls.
Turner, 24, will spend the next 16 years in prison for what he did to these children between 2009 and 2015. He confessed to authorities during the investigation, and in court on Friday said he betrayed their trust “in the worst way possible.”
He also said he understood he caused lasting trauma for the girls and their family.
The case
Zachary Turner was arrested in March 2018 after one of the girls told investigators she was able to recall several distinct incidents of sexual abuse while Turner was her babysitter.
Turner initially said he never touched the 2 girls while babysitting. As the interview progressed, he later admitted he masturbated in front of the girls and that it “was possible” he ejaculated on the girls and had to clean them afterward, according to court documents. Turner also admitted that he “probably” touched the girls while he masturbated.
Turner told police that those events had been eating at him and that he was “haunted” by the memories. He also said that he’s tried to “block out” what occurred.
The sentence
Before the sentence was handed down, a family member of the 2 victims spoke about the lasting trauma they will endure.
Then Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Souede sentenced Turner to 16 years in prison.