176 Counts Filed in O.C. Abuse Case
A south Orange County couple who allegedly videotaped themselves having sex with a preschool-age relative were ordered Tuesday to stand trial on 88 counts each in a child molestation and kidnapping case.
If convicted, they could face five life sentences, one for each time they are accused of deceiving the parents into letting them keep the girl overnight.
A sheriff’s investigator testified during the preliminary hearing that David Hwang, 32, and his wife, Sheila Sikat, 24, told the girl’s parents that they wanted to be baby-sitters for the child to practice parenting skills.
Instead, the Rancho Santa Margarita couple filmed sex sessions with the girl, authorities say. In September, police allegedly found in the couple’s home more than 200 homemade videotapes involving various children.
Charges against the couple include 77 counts of lewd acts and five counts of using a child to create pornography
Hwang and Sikat, who have pleaded not guilty, were ordered to appear in court May 4 in Santa Ana to enter formal pleas.
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