During her nearly two hours of testimony Wednesday at Bucks County Courthouse, Savilla Stoltzfus, 43, discussed the relationship she and her family had with Lee Kaplan, 52, and the guidance — spiritual, educational and otherwise — she said he provided to them.

The mother of 14 children, Stoltzfus testified under cross-examination on the first day of Kaplan’s sexual assault trial that she didn't tell her husband, Daniel Stoltzfus, when she began having sex with Kaplan: about four months after her then-14-year-old daughter gave birth to Kaplan's child in 2013.

At that time, she said, she made a decision to separate from her husband and commit herself to Kaplan as his wife with the hope that he eventually would make her relationship with Daniel Stoltzfus stronger, according to testimony.

Letters written by Savilla Stoltzfus to Daniel Stoltzfus, with portions read in court Wednesday, showcased a level of confusion in her life, as well as jealousy of her daughters after Kaplan began to show more interest in them.

"I might say that I was (jealous), but it was to a good outcome," Stoltzfus said.

Although it was the oldest daughter who became pregnant, it was her younger sister who originally was offered in marriage to Kaplan, Stoltzfus testified.

The Stoltzfus family made plans for the second-oldest girl — who was 17 when the family was found on Kaplan's property last June — to be Kaplan's wife when she was 9.

"He made mention that he would never have sex with her until she was 18," Stoltzfus testified.

The girl had dreamed of being Kaplan's wife, Stoltzfus said.

Stoltzfus testified that she believed the dreams were from God, and that she and her other daughters had them about Kaplan.

"Many of the girls were having dreams on the matter," she said.

Stoltzfus said she and the six oldest girls considered themselves to be Kaplan's wives. Nine of Stoltzfus' daughters and the two children Kaplan fathered were found by police June 16, 2016, at Kaplan's Feasterville property at 428 Old Street Road.

When asked what her understanding of what a wife is, Stoltzfus replied, "Many things. A lover, obviously." She also discussed a woman's role in being submissive.

Stoltzfus testified that she gave Kaplan permission to share a bed with the two oldest girls before her family was evicted from their home in Kirkwood in 2009. Kaplan had a bedroom at the house and would sleep with the two girls, who were 9 and 10, she said.

The oldest girl, who testified Wednesday, said that her first sexual experience with Kaplan took place at that home when she was 10. However, intercourse did not start until two years later at Kaplan's Feasterville property, she testified.

Family ‘moving around’

After the family fell into financial ruin, they bounced around from place to place, living in a campground for a while. At that time, the two oldest girls began living with Kaplan, which Stoltzfus viewed as positive because the family was "moving around."

However, Stoltzfus was caught off guard and was "a little shaken" when she found out her oldest daughter, who was 14 at the time, was about to give birth to Kaplan's child, she said.

The girl did not discuss the relationship or the pregnancy with her parents, she said.

Kaplan was apologetic and took responsibility, Stoltzfus said. However, she said, she also understood that the pregnancy was "the right thing to do or in God's leading."

"I observed that (my daughter) was very well and loved Mr. Kaplan," Stoltzfus said. "I then accepted it as the way it is."

Stoltzfus, who pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges in the case, said she still is OK with what happened.

"We had a very good life," she said.

Under cross-examination, Stoltzfus said she never saw Kaplan do more than kiss her daughters.

Stating that they would go into his bedroom and close the door, her assumption was they were having sex. However, she couldn't say for sure.

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During her own cross-examination, the oldest daughter echoed the sentiment that no one knew what happened in Kaplan’s bedroom.

Opening arguments

During opening arguments, prosecutor Kate Kohler said the case is about "power, manipulation and control."

"Ladies and gentleman, that is what Lee Kaplan is all about," she said. "He was able to brainwash an entire family. Six children became his victims, became his sex toys."

Kohler apologized for the disturbing testimony the jury was about to hear, blaming Kaplan's conduct as the reason they have to hear it.

Hyde painted a different picture, describing the Stoltzfus family as a "tick" seizing on the opportunity of a wealthy friend who had a home and finances they could take advantage of.

Calling Stoltzfus a "creature of opportunity," Hyde said she got five of her daughters to change their stories after she was able to reach a deal in her own case.

Kaplan and the oldest daughter were in a loving relationship that was condoned by the girl's parents, Hyde said.

"Not everything is as it appears," Hyde said.

Testimony was scheduled to continue Wednesday afternoon.

Savilla Stoltzfus has pleaded guilty to third-degree felony endangerment of the welfare of a child, while her husband, Daniel Stoltzfus, 44, pleaded no contest to the same charge.

Sentencing will take place after Kaplan's trial.