A VILE mum called her daughters “sluts” and "whores" when they told her their dad molested them - and prayed to remove his “demon” instead of calling cops.

Sarah Kester, 51, failed to report her husband to the police even after three of the five victims "begged her" to stop him from abusing another child, who was just 10 at the time.

Prosecutors say her husband, Lester Kester Jr, molested five children over two decades.

The couple is affiliated with the Followers of Christ Church, whose members abstain from medical care for themselves and their children in favour of "faith healing".

This is because they believe that prayer and rituals can sufficiently treat even catastrophic illnesses.

He pleaded guilty in October to five felony charges of sexual misconduct with a minor in exchange for prosecutors not pursuing charges of possession of child pornography.

Idaho's child injury law, however, includes a religious exemption that has long allowed church members to act without state intervention.

I should've paid attention to all the rumours going around. I feel so devastated. I should've got out of marriage right there and then.

Sarah will serve at least four and up to 10 years in prison, if she fails to successfully complete a year-long treatment program ordered by Judge Christopher Nye in Idaho on Thursday.

The program will see her receive intensive treatment in a secure facility, and could see her serve less time for failing to report the abuse inflicted on her children.

After Sarah Kester's July 11 arrest, she said she had known of the abuse for the past 17 years, according to the Canyon County Sheriff's Office.

An agency press release said: "Sarah Kester told detectives that she didn't report the abuse because it was against her belief system to involve agencies such as law enforcement, child protection services, or counselling services into personal matters.

"Instead, she said she attempted to protect...children through praying for 'the demon' to leave Lester and attempting to keep him busy with other tasks."

Sarah Kester's defence lawyer said at sentencing that her client grew up in an isolated community and experienced her own trauma.

Attorney Bethany Harder Haase said: "She did everything that she knew to do to take care of them."

Sarah Kester cried as she addressed the court.

She said: "I should've paid attention to all the rumours going around.

"I feel so devastated. I should've got out of marriage right there and then."

Three of the victims, now in their teens and 20s, also gave statements, saying Sarah Kester called them offensive names and blamed them for her husband's actions.

Sarah Kester entered in October a modified guilty plea, in which she maintained her innocence but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict her.

Her husband will be sentenced for five felony child sex abuse charges on February 26.