Stafford Man Who Tortured Stepchildren Gets 252 Years In Prison

STAFFORD, VA — A Stafford County man convicted in June on multiple counts of child abuse and other charges after he was accused of torturing his two stepchildren was sentenced this week to 252 years in prison, according to reports. Michael Andrew Keesecker, 46, was also ordered to pay $75,000 in fines.

Keesecker was convicted of 12 counts of child abuse, seven counts of malicious wounding, five counts of strangulation, and two counts of assault and battery, the Free Lance-Star reports. All of the charges involved his two stepchildren.

During the trial, prosecutors said the children often suffered “routine, consistent torture,” spanning a number of years. They also said Keesecker often used knives, screwdrivers and other household utensils as a means of torture while attempting to pry information from the children on the whereabouts and activities of their mother. He also punched, kicked and strangled them on occassion.

At his sentencing, Keesecker took the stand and said mental illness and drug addiction led him to the ruthless behavior.