'Sons of Guns' star Stephanie Hayden went to the police about father Will Hayden
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Sons of Guns” star Stephanie Hayden Ford appeared on "Dr. Phil" on Thursday, claiming her father and former costar Will Hayden was sexually inappropriate with her when she was 12 years old.
But before she told Dr. Phil McGraw, she spoke to law enforcement.
“She has reported her story as seen on the show to the authorities," her rep told FOX411. "That was all done before it came out on ‘Dr. Phil'.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ford's father is in jail, charged with aggravated rape of a juvenile, forcible rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile. The charges came after Ford said her younger sister revealed Hayden had been raping her "almost daily," beginning when she was 11.
Police in East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parish, La., say other victims have come forward since.
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Ford said on "Dr. Phil" that her father once came into her bedroom, drunk and forced her shirt off and touch and kiss her chest.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ford said her younger sister, as well as another family member, was abused by Hayen at the age of 12, and a friend of hers also revealed Hayden had forced her to kiss him.
Ford decided to go on “Dr. Phil” to address the situation since she was being bombarded by the press with requests for comments, her rep said.
“[McGraw] was the first to know publicly because we knew he would take the situation seriously and she didn't want her comments to be skewed to impact any one's case,” her rep said. “Also, because she was on a hit show for the last five years, there has been massive pressure for comments and information. She wouldn't come out publicly with any of this otherwise. She certainly doesn't think she's going to get rich by telling her story or that it will improve her entertainment career.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ford hopes her story will instead encourage victims of sexual abuse to come forward.
“After seeing the support by hundreds of abuse victims who are coming out with their own stories on her Facebook page, in emails and phone calls, she is happy that they at least understand, and [she hopes] it helps someone else speak out, too,” her rep said.
Ford appeared on “Sons of Guns” alongside her father. The series centered on the family’s Red Jacket Firearms company. The custom firearm business and Discovery Channel have since cut all ties with the family.