New details have emerged regarding the alleged child abuse committed by bestselling Christian author Heather Thompson Day and her husband Seth Day, following their arrest late last month, with the latter accused of molesting his own daughter.
Authors of the bestselling book I’ll See You Tomorrow, both Seventh-day Adventists, were arrested and charged with “injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual with intent to cause bodily injury,” with husband Seth being singled out for sexual assault of a child, and now we know why.
According to arrest affidavits, the investigation began after their daughter told a teacher that she had been physically abused by her father following an altercation. Police met with her and found lacerations to her face and neck, as well as bruising. She told officers that he had hit her in the face and body with her cell phone. According to Child Protective Services, multiple reports were made against the couple over the years, with the last one a month prior. Adventist Today reports:
“The affidavits also allege that Heather Day was present and aware of the incident but did not intervene. The victim reportedly told investigators that Heather knew about previous injuries as well, but did not report them. She allegedly attempted to conceal the injuries by having the victim wear a face mask and telling medical professionals that she did not know how they had occurred.”
Both Seth and Heather were initially charged for the assault, the former with injury to a child and the latter with allowing the assault to happen. If convicted, third-degree felonies carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
While in jail for the assault, however, Seth was charged with sexual assault, a first-degree felony. Spectrum Magazine reports:
“According to the newly released documents, the Days’ daughter had told local hospital staff that on September 22, the same day of the alleged physical assault, “[Seth Day] engaged in sexual intercourse with [her] on her bed.”
While describing the alleged incident to investigators, the complaint states that she “was very timid about details and stipulated to the details of the sexual assault as ‘yucky.’”
The daughter also described the location of a bottle of lubricant her father allegedly used in the assault. A search warrant later located the lubricant in his bathroom.
“Additionally, when investigators scanned the daughter’s bedroom with a black light, they reported additional evidence that corresponded with how she described the assault. The report states law enforcement “were unable to reasonably conclude” that what they found was from “any normal or ‘regular’ activity of a child her age.”
The Days have strenuously denied the allegations, saying the injuries on her face were caused by an autoimmune disorder, a claim which investigators reject. During a court appearance, Heather Day could be seen falling to the floor in tears on multiple occasions, insisting “This is not true!” while insisting that her daughter is making things up because she has mental health problems.
If convicted, Seth faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 109.
