By Kimberly Houk
ABC 4
August 2, 2011
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/state/story/Women-ready-to-testify-in-Jeffs-sentencing-hearing/Y4kFGamuv0mVmgFk8-f6WA.cspx
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| Warren Jeffs (pool, Salt Lake Tribune) |
Tonia Tewell is a local woman who has dedicated her life to helping women leave polygamy, and one of those women will take the stand tomorrow to tell the judge what Warren Jeffs did to her when she was just a child.
“He raped her when she was 7 years old. He was the principal at her school. She does not want to see him again, but she was subpoenaed so she has no choice. She’s had two breakdowns this year from all of the stress,” says Tewell.
It’s been tough on all of the women who have been appointed a guard, and told to stay in their hotel rooms until it’s time to go to court.
It’s been tough for Tewell to witness.
“I have cried myself to sleep often. One night I got a call from her and she was in the hospital having a breakdown. When I walked into the room she was curled in the fetal position sucking her thumb. All I could do was climb into bed with her and tell her she was safe and ok,” says Tewell.
She may never again have to face Jeffs. Today, he asked to be removed from the court room after he read a statement he claims came from God warning the judge to leave him alone or a whirlwind of judgment will come on the world. It’s a statement that will not deter the women for speaking their truths.
“If she can help put him away for life so he can never hurt another girl, she will do that. She will do what she needs to do,” says Tewell.
If you’d like to know how you can help Tewell help women leaving polygamy go to www.holdingouthelp.org.
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