Investigation Into 21-Year-Old Child Abuse Case Reopened

Crystal Davidson, who grew up in Emmett, Idaho, and later in Silver Springs, has long been haunted by traumatic childhood memories.

She recounted being sexually abused by her father at the age of five. Despite filing a report in 2003, the investigation hit a roadblock, leaving Davidson without the closure she deserved.

Davidson first reported the abuse to authorities when she was 16, recounting an incident in which she said her father entered the bathroom and began touching her inappropriately.

“I was so young, I didn’t even know it was wrong,” she recalled.

However, Crystal never heard anything further from law enforcement.

When she saw her father, John Hesselgesser, in a recent News 4 report regarding a child neglect case involving unsanitary conditions in her childhood home, it reignited her desire for answers.

Crystal obtained a copy of her 2003 report. The document showed that investigators had taken her signed statement but faced resistance from her father, who refused to cooperate.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) forwarded the case to the police in Emmett, Idaho, where Davidson’s family once lived, but it appears the case fell through the cracks. Despite records indicating that other agencies, including the Division of Child and Family Services, were aware of the complaint, Emmett Police say they have no record of receiving the report from Lyon County.

“Now it sounds like Emmett P.D. is saying they never received the report,” said Lyon County Sheriff Brad Pope.

More than two decades later, Davidson’s case was left unresolved, with no clear explanation of what happened.

“It really hurts to see that the people who are supposed to be helping, aren’t helping,” she said.

Although her father has refused to comment on the allegations, Lyon County Sheriff Brad Pope has committed to assisting in the investigation.

“If the suspect is found to have committed a crime, justice needs to be served,” Pope stated.

Recently, Emmett Police Chief Steve Kunka agreed to reopen the investigation.

“With the assistance of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office in making contact with all parties involved, we will collect as much information as we can and submit it to the Gem County Prosecutor for evaluation and potential charging,” Kunka said.

After 21 years, the case is again active, and Davidon expressed relief that she may finally get the answers she has long sought.