Mom, 13, is ruled a sex crime offender

[norml]

Mom, 13, is ruled a sex crime offender

Appeals court: But she is also a victim; a boy, then 12, fathered her baby, and he is also a victim and perpetrator

By Pamela Manson
The Salt Lake Tribune



An appeals court on Friday upheld a judge's refusal to dismiss a sexual abuse allegation against a 13-year-old Ogden girl who became pregnant by her 12-year-old boyfriend.

The Utah Court of Appeals says the law's "rigorous protections" for younger minors include protecting them from each other.

The decision leaves the teens in the odd position of each being both a victim and a perpetrator in the same offense.

"The Legislature certainly may act to protect the health and safety of children, and may more vigorously protect those of more tender years," Judge Gregory Orme wrote for a three-member panel of the court, which made its decision "with some reluctance."

The girl's Ogden attorneys, Randall Richards and Dee Smith, are considering an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court.

Richards pointed out that Utah law says minors under age 14 do not have the ability to consent to sexual activity.

"It's a paradox," he said. "How can they be old enough to commit an offense if they're not old enough to consent to it?"


snip


http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3358959

[Misunderestimator]

1. Oh wow... that is so totally screwed up.

[RevolutionaryActs]

2. That is wrong on so many levels.

:wtf:

[fishwax]

3. jesus. what happened to common sense?

:shrug::puke:

[sakabatou]

4. Went the way of the Dodo along with freedom

[LynzM]

5. Wow, is that messed up....

The mind boggles. Wow. :crazy:

[Initech]

6. Dude, this is pretty fucked up right here!

:wow: :yoiks:

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

7. Only in Utah

I bet if it was a 15 year old boy who already had another 15 year old and a 14 year old as wives with babies they wouldn't say nothing about this, the judge would say something like "Son your doing a fine job starting a family early, morally" or some crazy nutty stuff like that.