Man sentenced to life for sexually abusing 2 girls

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - A southwest Missouri man has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing two female family members under the age of 12 between 2008 and 2011.

The Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1fZl583) reports 54-year-old Brett Sanders won't be eligible for parole for at least 25 years.

He was convicted in January on three felony counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, one felony count of sexual misconduct involving a child and two felony counts of first-degree child molestation.

His victims, now 12 and 14, testified at his trial about their abuse while living in his home. They only disclosed the abuse after moving away from Sanders to another state.

The older victim testified Sanders threatened her with a gun if she disclosed the abuse, while the younger victim testified that she was scared.