Mom Discovers Daughter Abused and Drugged: Perpetrator Sentenced to Prison

Heartbreaking Discovery

A concerned mother in Salt Lake City, Utah, shares the horrifying ordeal she experienced when she discovered her 14-year-old daughter subjected to sexual abuse and drugs. The mother, worried after her daughter didn’t show up at school, used her phone’s location to track her down. To her shock and devastation, she found her daughter in a car, “semi-responsive” and covered in vomit, with a man in the vehicle claiming to be there to help.

A Unfortunate Encounter

Trusting the man’s words, the mother rushed her daughter to the hospital. However, she later realized that the same man she believed to be innocent was actually responsible for her daughter’s dire situation and drug use. Reports reveal that the man, Calan Nelson Clifford, 31, from Riverton, had not only picked up the victim from school on multiple occasions but had also sexually abused her while providing drugs. Initial contact between Clifford and the girl occurred through the popular social media platform, Snapchat.

Justice Served

In a recent court hearing at the 3rd District Court, Clifford received a prison sentence for his heinous actions involving two different teenage victims. Initially silent, Clifford expressed remorse after hearing statements from one of the victims and the parents of the other victim. He repeatedly apologized and claimed that he would never cause harm to anyone again.

An Ongoing Struggle

The victim’s mother, addressing the court, revealed the traumatic impact the incident had on her family, particularly her daughter and another sibling who witnessed the events unfold. The mother emphasized that her daughter’s bravery in undergoing a rape test was commendable and spoke of her pride in her daughter for stepping forward to protect others. She pleaded with the judge to impose a prison sentence on Clifford to ensure the safety of others, expressing the belief that no one else should endure what her family had gone through.

Consecutive Prison Sentences

The court sentenced Clifford to a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison for the rape of the 14-year-old girl, a first-degree felony. In addition, he received a sentence of one to 15 years for sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony, and up to five years for distributing controlled substances, a third-degree felony. These sentences will run concurrently.

Furthermore, Clifford received consecutive prison sentences for another similar case involving a 17-year-old girl. For the second case, he was sentenced to one to 15 years for human trafficking for sexual exploitation, up to five years for distributing controlled substances, and up to five years for unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The judge emphasized that these sentences would run consecutively to each other, resulting in a total prison term of at least six years for Clifford.

A Plea for Serious Treatment

During the hearing, Clifford’s defense attorney, Ellis Hendriksen, argued that her client had shown a commitment to self-improvement while in jail and had even assisted others battling drug addictions. She requested an additional year in jail followed by probation. However, Colleen Magee, the assistant attorney general, countered by stating that the severity of the case warranted consecutive prison sentences. Magee emphasized that individuals like Clifford, who target teenage girls, require serious treatment available only in a prison setting. She highlighted the dangerous nature of the drug Clifford had been supplying to the victims, GHB, commonly known as a date rape drug.

A Life Altered

Testifying at the sentencing, the victim in the second case shared the profound impact Clifford had on her life. Prior to meeting Clifford, she had been happy and involved in various activities such as sports and music. However, once involved with him, her life took a dark turn. She expressed constant apprehension and described feeling pressured by Clifford to engage in prostitution to fund his drug addiction. She also revealed the emotional distance she created from her family during this period, as well as the coercion she faced regarding sexual acts with Clifford in exchange for drugs.

The victim disclosed that she intentionally spent approximately 7½ months in jail after learning of Clifford’s arrest, in a desperate attempt to distance herself from him. Despite her efforts, she is still battling addiction and fears for her safety upon Clifford’s release. She expressed hope that Clifford receives a severe punishment to allow her to move forward with her life without constantly worrying about his whereabouts.

The courts have ultimately ensured that Clifford will face the consequences of his reprehensible actions, bringing justice to the victims and their families.