“My desire to come forward and share my testimony has many layers,” says 15-year old Jera Keithley, victim of sexual abuse from her father, Jerry Wayne Keithley, 70, of Buffalo. “One is a part of my healing, but also I want to help others find their voice, like my hero did for me. And I want to help not just kids that have been molested, but ones with parents in jail.”
Jera, also known as “Bear” by her family and close friends, is a sophomore at Fairfield High School this year, and following her ordeal with her father’s trial that ended last month, she has chosen to come forward to get her story out to help others in the same type of situation.
“I want to give my testimony in churches and schools… or anywhere I’m accepted,” explains Jera. “It needs to be told in order to save lives. Kids need to hear it from someone closer to their own age and not just from adults. They need to know to not be afraid of how people will react; it will all be ok in the end.”
“This happens everywhere,” she continues. “Abuse is not just sexual. It can be some type of betrayal, emotional, or physical as well. And they need to know that they should get counseling; that it’s OKAY to get counseling!”
“I believe this is her calling,” states Jera’s mom, Tanya. “God called her to be a voice for those who can’t find their own.”
The Story
Jerry Keithley was found “guilty” of continuous sexual abuse of a young child under the age of 14 (a First Degree Felony); and was delivered a sentence of Life in prison with no possibility of parole.
The trial was presided over by District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans; with District Attorney Chris Martin representing the victim and the State of Texas, and Justin Reed serving as defense attorney for Keithley.
“He started touching me inappropriately when I was about three years old and continued until I was nine, but only when my mom was not at home,” explains Jera.
“I wondered why he ‘just stopped’ when she turned nine,” says Tanya. “I found out later that he hadn’t stopped, but that she started making herself unavailable to him when I was out of the home by going outside to tend to the horses or to visit friends.”
“When I was in third grade, I told my best friend, Justin Ledford,” explains Jera. “He knew my dad had a bad temper and he promised not to tell anyone so that I wouldn’t get into trouble.”
While a freshman at FHS, Jera’s ex-boyfriend, who knew about the situation, told one of her friends; and also threatened to spread it around the school.
The friend took it upon herself to go to the school counselor, Lindy Neill, and report the abuse Jera was experiencing; after which, Mrs. Neill reported the situation to the authorities.
At this point, Investigator Clayton Aldrich with the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office got involved and went to the school to speak with Jera; and then sent her on to the Advocacy Center and to meet with Child Protective Services.
“It was hard to know what to believe,” says Tanya, “because otherwise, Jerry was a good father and man. I wasn’t allowed to talk to Jera about it unless she brought it up first, so the only information I was getting was from CPS or from him.”
According to Tanya, Jerry left right away and ran, first toward Houston. He was picked up on a warrant about a month later by Texas Rangers at a Wal-Mart in Tyler, Texas.
“I was sad that he wasn’t there,” says Jera. “Yes, even after what he did to me. He’s still my dad. He has no life now. He’s like a caged animal for the rest of his life. It’s like mourning a loss, trying to figure out what’s normal.”
“It was hell being on the stand with Dad’s attorney,” Jera continues. “The way he was questioning me and trying to confuse me, but I was grateful for the trial. I was able to forgive my dad, and I got to tell him that.”
Jera’s Victim Impact Statement
(Given following the sentencing of her father)
Mark 11:25 says, ‘And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them so your Father in Heaven may forgive your sins too.’
When I first tried to write this, I was angry with you. Part of me hated you, but in the last couple of days, I let everything go and let God take over.
I want you to know that I forgive you.
I forgive you for taking my innocence away as a child when you were supposed to protect me.
I forgive you for not letting me have a childhood.
I forgive you for the permanent scars you’ve left me with and the wounds that will continue to burn as I get older.
Just know that I forgive you and I hope you can forgive yourself for not only how you affected me, but those in my life and those who will be in my life later on.
You’re my father and I love you.
Thanks for making me stronger.
“She’s my warrior,” says Tanya. “She fought for her voice to be heard. She’s the one who held us together through all of this.”
A positive that came from this is that Jera was able to finally meet her older sister from one of Jerry’s previous relationships. According to testimony given by this sister, she was also molested a few times growing up, and the other siblings were physically abused.
“Now I have a close relationship with my sister,” explains Jera. “One we were both deprived of for so long due to a dirty family secret.”
During the trial, Jera and Tanya had many supporters in the way of family, friends, and church members.
Their pastor, Brother Carl Clark of Corinth Baptist Church of Dew, was in attendance at the trial as well. They all held hands and prayed over the family, and all those involved, while in the courtroom.
Several friends and family wore shirts with the phrase “Against All Odds” on the back in support of Jera during the week of trial. Kids at school left sticky-notes on her locker with encouraging words and scriptures to show their support as well.
“I appreciate everyone who has stood behind me and supported me through this difficult time,” Jera says.
Even through all of this, Jera is still very much a lovely, loving, and extremely sweet young lady. She is a member of the Grand Band from Eagle Land in which she plays the alto saxophone. She is on the JV Volleyball team this year. She loves basketball and to eat! And her biggest pleasure is spending time with her paint horse Doc.
In the end, isn’t it great to see that good triumphed over evil?
Great job Jera! Keep your head held high, even ‘Against All Odds!’
