By Eric Preisler
Staff Writer
Lee Kaplan, a 51-year-old Pennsylvania resident, has been accused of fathering two children with an 18-year-old girl, who was “gifted” to him by her parents, and sexually assaulting five of her sisters. The sisters were among 11 girls found living in Kaplan’s home when he was arrested. Kaplan referred to the girls, who ranged from 6 to 18 years old during the time of abuse, as his wives, CBS News reported.
According to NBC, officials in Bucks County, Pa., were tipped off by neighbors of Kaplan on June 20, 2016. After he was arrested in June, Kaplan admitted to fathering two of the youngest children, beginning when the oldest girl was just 14 years old, according to CBS Philly. Daniel and Salvia Stoltzfus, who have been arrested and charged for child endangerment in June, decided to “gift” their nine daughters to Kaplan as a favor for financial help, Philadelphia Magazine reported.
A FedEx delivery man, who frequently stopped by Kaplan’s home in Feasterville, Pa., reported to NBC10.com that the house stunk and Kaplan would answer the door shirtless.
According to CBS News, on Monday, Oct. 31, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub announced new child sex abuse charges against Kaplan. Weintraub said Kaplan represented himself as a religious figure to the sisters, who were from a formerly Amish family in Lancaster County, Pa.
"He groomed them to make them believe he was a religious cult-like figure to whom they should submit their will," Weintraub said, according to NBC10.com. According to NBC, Weintraub hopes to sell the home and contribute the money for the victim’s services.
According to CBS, Kaplan is in the Bucks County jail on a $1 million bail, which has been increased to $2 million as more details and charges of his sexual assault have come to light. The trials of Kaplan and the girls’ parents, which was supposed to happen next week, has been canceled, CBS News reported.
According to KYW, Kaplan, who was originally facing statutory sexual assault and related charges in the alleged abuse of the oldest girl, is now facing 15 new charges — mostly felonies.
"If we're successful, he's going to spend the rest of his life where he is right now... in prison," Weintraub said, according to NBC.
