In a bizarre, rambling phone interview from prison, Phillip Garrido insists he has completely turned his life around and that the world will be amazed by his rehabilitation.Garrido, 58, who is behind bars for allegedly snatching Jaycee Lee Dugard at the age of 11 and keeping her as a sex slave, boasts: 'Wait until you hear the story of what took place at this house.'
The convicted rapist and kidnapper - who fathered two children by Miss Dugard and kept them all in a tented complex in his backyard in California - admits his behaviour had been 'disgusting'. But he claims this all changed after he had children with his alleged captive, who miraculously emerged alive and well after disappearing almost two decades ago.
'In the end, this is going to be a powerful, heartwarming story. My life has been straightened out,' the sex offender said.
Miss Dugard, who was snatched on her way to school 18 years ago, had two daughters by Garrido - one when she was just 14 and the second four years later. Police said the three had been living in sheds and tents sheds hidden at the back of the sex offender's home in Antioch, near San Francisco, 170 miles from where she was abducted. Miss Dugard, now 29, was renamed Allissa by her captors. Her children were born on the property and had never been to school or seen a doctor.
Garrido has been charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, rape and committing lewd acts with a minor. His wife Nancy, 55, was charged with kidnapping and conspiracy. Police said Mrs Garrido's alleged involvement was as an accomplice to the kidnapping. 'She matches the description we have,' Sheriff Kollar said. The couple are being held in the country jail in Martinez. Authorities said they do not know if Garrido also abused his daughters, but they are investigating.
Garrido insists in the interview with KCRA-TV, recorded last night, that having his first child 15 years ago had changed his life.'Wait till you hear the story of what took place at this house. You're going to be completely impressed,' he said. 'It's a disgusting thing that took place with me at the beginning, but I turned my life completely around... You are going to find the most powerful story coming from the witness, the victim - you wait. If you take this a step at a time, you're going to fall over backwards and in the end, you're going to find the most powerful heart-warming story.'
He broke down as he added: 'Having those two children - those two girls. They slept in my arms every single night and I never touched them.' He also denied confessing to the kidnap. (Daily Mail)