Heidi Montag's Step-Sister Carissa Berlet Has Come Forward As Victim Of William Montag's Sexual Abuse
She's a mom.
Instagram Heidi Montag has been dealt some rough family circumstances. If you've followed The Hills and The Hills: New Beginnings star has had to deal with the knowledge that her father allegedly sexually abused a young girl at some point. The name of the victim was redacted from the Colorado court case. But now, Heidi's step-sister Carissa Berlet has come forward as the victim of Willam Montag's sexual abuse. Who is Heidi Montag's step-sister?
1. She couldn't hide his secret anymore
Carissa Berlet, 38, told Radar: “It got to the point where I couldn’t hide his secret anymore." She went on to say: "I know there are other women out there going through worse abuse, and worse trauma. It's not right." William Montag pleaded not guilty to sexual assault on a child and aggravated incest in 2015. But then, in 2016, he changed his mind and pleaded guilty to a felony charge of Child Abuse — Knowingly/Reckless. He was sentenced to four years of supervised probation.
2. She said the legal system let her down
Carissa said the legal system let her down. “In the end, he pleaded guilty and he chose to plead guilty knowing he was admitting guilt and he was wrong. If you’re innocent, you fight it. I was relieved…but I don’t feel like justice was served. I wanted my day in court.”
3. The details
The probable cause affidavit for his arrest warrant revealed that William Montag sexually abused his daughter Carissa for years. It started in the mid-90s when Carissa was 13. Carissa came forward in 2013 after talking about her past to a therapist. She said her father abused her in the family home more than 50 times.
4. She's estranged from her parents
Understandably, Carissa doesn't have much of a relationship with her parents. Her mother is still married to William. She is trying to rebuild a relationship with her mom. She has vowed to never speak to William again. She has a permanent restraining order against her. William cannot come within 100 years of Carissa or her home, work, or kids' schools. "He is out of my life. I have freedom to live in my truth," she said.
5. Difficult past
In her younger years, Carissa has substance abuse issues and attempted suicide. She has moved past all of that now and is focused on moving on with her life. “I’m doing good,” she said. “I don’t care to know [how he’s doing] — I don’t want to know or need to know.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, please call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.