OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Court of Appeals has rejected a father’s request for custody of his daughters to get them out of the home of a registered sex offender.

The Central City man argued that a Phelps County District judge was wrong to find there was no significant risk to his 16- and 14-year-old daughters if they remain in the house with their stepfather. Court documents say the stepfather testified that he served four years in prison for sexually assaulting his 15-year-old stepdaughter from a previous marriage.

A three-judge panel of the state appeals court said Tuesday that the lower court relied on a therapist’s testimony that the stepfather wasn’t likely to reoffend. The appeals panel also said the lower court properly considered what was in the best interests of the children.