`I Was Satan' -- Child Molester Sentenced To 26 1/2 Years In Prison

Ronald C. McDonald, the former shopping-mall Santa who admitted raping and molesting dozens of youngsters, told a judge today that he acted like Satan when he destroyed so many lives.

As King County Superior Court Judge Norma Huggins sentenced the 72-year-old to 26 1/2 years in prison, he turned to his victims and apologized.

"I've devastated their whole lives," he said, crying. "It's as if I killed them. I was Satan.

"I want to let people know I'm so sorry," he added. "I'm so sorry I devastated their lives. I know everyone wishes me hell."

A tearful victim also addressed the court, saying that what McDonald did to her years ago has had a disastrous impact on her life.

"Many people carry scars that may never be healed," she said.

A relative of McDonald's also addressed the court, saying McDonald had molested one of his children. He urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence - which she did.

"As much as this hurts, I can't let this type of thing continue," the relative said. "Even people who do good things can do bad things."

As part of his sentence, McDonald was ordered to undergo therapy for sexual deviancy while in prison. He likely will be sent to the Twin Rivers Correctional Center at Monroe.

During an interview yesterday at the King County Jail, McDonald was as repentant as he was this morning in court.

Prepared to spend life in prison

Looking out from behind the bulletproof window in the jail's visitors room, he said he was prepared to spend the rest of his life in prison, that he deserved nothing less.

"I can never make amends. I've hurt those children just the same as if I shot them with a gun," he said.

McDonald has spent the past four months in jail after confessing last year to charges of raping and molesting four children he baby-sat who were ages 7, 6, 4 and 1.

He said he was sorry both for hurting them and for lying about it.

When first confronted with the testimony of a 6-year-old family member, McDonald confessed to police and his family that he had molested four to six children.

But he said he concealed the fact that the molestations had occurred over a span of 60 years and had involved as many as 70 children.

"My head was still spinning, and I couldn't admit how bad it had been, even to myself," he said.

"The worst part is that I took advantage of the children in my life that I was closest to, the ones that trusted and loved me the most."

McDonald's wife, Beryl, was with him at the jail yesterday during visiting hours.

When she got up to leave, she put her palm on the bulletproof glass between them, and he did the same.

She said, "I love you" into the phone, then picked up her bag and left.

The formerly rotund McDonald said he has lost about 80 pounds in jail and has become a born-again Christian. He said he wants to use his remaining years to tell fellow inmates - whom he claims have treated him well - that there is a possibility of redemption for even the most despicable criminals.

"I don't want to say that I know for sure I am going to heaven. I know a lot of the parents want to see me in hell," he said. "But I want to encourage others that there is hope and a possibility of salvation."

McDonald, who was employed as a maintenance worker at the University of Washington Medical Center from 1959 to 1982, was well known in his Lake Forest Park neighborhood.

He was a trusted baby-sitter and church volunteer whose white hair and glasses prompted children to call him Santa.

Lots of contact with kids

For more than a decade, he served as a holiday Santa at the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre Mall.

He was also active in the child nursery at Bethany Baptist Church of Kenmore, where he helped to care for 2- and 3-year-olds.

Though he came into contact with children in many settings, McDonald has said all the abuses took place in his home.

Following his arrest, members of his family issued a statement saying they were suffering with the revelations.

"We are still learning to deal with this terrible tragedy that has affected so many lives," the family said.

McDonald said two of his five children and several grandchildren visit him in jail, while two other children have been unable to forgive him.

"I can't blame them," he said.

Christine Clarridge's phone message number is 206-464-8983. Her e-mail address is: ccla-new@seatimes.com

Susan Gilmore's phone message number is 206-464-2054. Her e-mail address is: sugi-new@seatimes.com