Samuel Rhyner, 43, faces a lifetime in jail after being sentenced Friday for sexually abusing his two daughters over the span of their childhood, authorities said.

Rhyner received six life sentences with an additional 73 years, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

“Throughout the trial, the defendant continued to deny responsibility for his actions, causing further trauma to the victims,” an MCAO release stated.

In June 2020, the Phoenix Police Department was alerted by a family member that Rhyner had sexually abused his biological daughter and stepdaughter over the course of their childhood. In the case of one of the victims, the abuse started when she was 4 years old.

One of the victims shared a statement during the sentencing:

“I have scars on my body and even more on my soul. He was supposed to be my protector and instead he chose to rip away my innocence. He will never understand the way he hurt me.”

Rhyner received a life sentence for each count of sexual conduct with a minor, five years for a count of sexual abuse and 17 years for each count of kidnapping and molestation of a child.

All sentences are to be served consecutively, resulting in 283 years in prison, according to the MCAO release.

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