Maroney Thought She'd Die During Night With Nassar

He is a 'monster of a human being'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 19, 2018 3:22 AM CST
Updated Jan 19, 2018 6:03 AM CST
Maroney Thought She Was Going to Die During Night With Nassar
McKayla Maroney performs in the floor exercise during the women's senior division at the US gymnastics championships on Friday, June 8, 2012, in St. Louis.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Former USA Gymastics team doctor Larry Nassar "was not a doctor, he in fact is, was, and forever shall be, a child molester, and a monster of a human being. End of story!" McKayla Maroney wrote in a powerful victim statement read aloud by a prosecutor on the third day of Nassar's sentencing hearing. In the statement, which can be seen in full here, Maroney described how the sexual abuse began at a Texas training camp when she was 13 or 14 and continued until she left the sport, Time reports. "I was told to trust him that he would treat my injuries and make it possible for me to achieve my Olympic dreams." Nassar claimed the abuse was medically necessary treatment, "and it seemed whenever and wherever this man could find the chance, I was 'treated,'" she wrote.

'For me, the scariest night of my life happened when I was 15 years old. I had flown all day and night with the team to get to Tokyo," Maroney wrote. "He'd given me a sleeping pill for the flight, and the next thing I know, I was all alone with him in his hotel room getting a 'treatment.' I thought I was going to die that night." Maroney, who could have faced a $100,000 fine for breaking a confidentiality agreement with the statement, said Nassar deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. She also said Michigan State University, USA Gymastics, and the United States Olympic Committee should be held accountable for "allowing, and in some cases enabling, his crimes." (Nassar has complained about having to listen to statements from more than 100 victims at his hearing, which will stretch into next week.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X