A judge gave maximum sentences tonight to a father and son for shackling a girl in their basement and raping her and another girl in their home.
Timothy Ciboro, 53, will go to prison for life without parole, a sentence that contains an additional 71 years, while his son, Esten, 28, will go to prison for 68 years to life.
During sentencing, Judge Linda Jennings of Lucas County Common Pleas Court called the two ”the most depraved, demented, evil people that I have ever seen.”
Given the chance to speak before sentencing, both simply said they had no prior felony convictions.
Judge Jennings also classified the two as sex offenders, as required under Ohio law. They must register with the sheriff in the county where they live every 90 days for the rest of their lives.
A jury deliberated more than five hours today before finding the two guilty on all counts.
The jury of nine men and three women began deliberating about 11 a.m., and found Timothy guilty of three counts of endangering children, two counts of kidnapping, and five counts of rape.
Esten was found guilty of two counts of endangering children, two counts of kidnapping, and three counts of rape.
The charges stemmed from abuse suffered over several years by two girls who are now 14 and 9. Both took the stand during the week-long trial to describe punishments the Ciboros inflicted as well as sexual abuse. A third child in their home testified for the defense but said many of the same things the girls told the jury.
VIDEO: Closing arguments in Ciboro trial
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Before sending the jury to deliberate this morning, prosecutors painted a picture of evil: a young girl shackled naked in the basement for wetting the bed. An even younger girl upstairs being raped by a man who was supposed to keep her safe.
“Everything they’re doing they’re claiming they’re doing it through God’s word,” Frank Spryszak, an assistant county prosecutor, said during closing arguments. “They stand there with their Bible. They cross-examine people using Scripture, and it’s all perverted.”
The men appeared to read the Bible and pray while Mr. Spryszak spoke to the jury.
Esten told the jury in his closing argument that there was no evidence he and his father committed any crimes. He said the children’s claims of sexual abuse clearly were ideas suggested to them by others and that the trial did not show they’d committed rape.
“Nor does it show that the Ciboros terrorized, jeopardized, abused, or tortured the children,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, do the right thing. Reunite this family. End their suffering.”
Timothy, who like his son acted as his own defense attorney, did not speak of the charges against him, but asked God for forgiveness, saying his “job in this trial was to glorify Him and not to put forth any dirty laundry or past sin that [the 13-year-old victim] had committed.”
Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.
First Published January 27, 2017, 3:48 p.m.
