William Stanson Fled Authorities After Allegedly Molesting His Daughter For Years

After a decade of abuse daughter Kayla finally broke her silence about her father.

January 29, 2020

William Stanson [Michigan State Police]

William Stanson [Michigan State Police]

The case involving William Stanson began in 2014 when investigators say a group of teenage girls came forward to police. The victims claimed they were assaulted at their friend’s Halloween sleepover by William Stanson, their friend's father. Stanson pleaded guilty to accosting a minor for immoral purposes and was required to register as a sex offender.

Just one year later, in 2015, investigators say Stanson’s own daughter Kayla finally broke her own silence about her father. Kayla had the courage to come forward to say Stanson had been molesting her since 2005. Kayla never spoke up because she wanted to protect her little sister from her father's abuse. Kayla also revealed to authorities that at the age of 16 she became pregnant with Stanson's child. Kayla says she was forced to drive across state lines with Stanson to get an abortion.

Authorities say Stanson was interviewed about his daughter's claims and admitted to the relationship he forged with Kayla, but claimed it was consensual and not molestation. Michigan State Police worked quickly to secure a warrant, but before they could do so, Stanson vanished.

Investigators say Stanson was first tracked to Los Angeles, California where he was staying with a cousin. He left California and moved on to Lake Havasu, Arizona. Investigators know that in August 2015 he sold a truck in Lake Havasu, but has not been seen since.

More images of Stanson as released by the Michingan State Police

More images of Stanson as released by the Michingan State Police

FUGITIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND CASE DETAILS

HEIGHT: 5 feet 10 inches

WEIGHT: 170 pounds

Charges: Criminal Sexual Conduct in the first degree

Possible areas he could be hiding: California, Indiana, Arizona, Minnesota, New York

SCAR: Stanson has a scar on his right ankle from a gunshot wound

Stanson walks with a limp

Has experience with construction and fixing cars

May have found under-the-table employment as a mechanic or in construction

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