Here is a case in which the victims mother becomes friends with another woman and over time comes to trust her enough to allow her to baby-sit her developmentally disabled child. This trusted "friend" then sexually assaults the child and when caught tries to blame the victim:
A Metzger woman sobbed Tuesday morning in Washington County Circuit Court as she was sentenced to nearly three years in prison for raping a developmentally disabled 14-year-old boy.
Prosecutors said they suspect Theresa Dawn Leppin, 23, may have borne the boy's child, but, at the request of the family, decided that should be determined independently.
Yes another case where the abuser may have become pregnant from her acts of sexually assaulting the child.
According to Deputy District Attorney Dan Hesson, Leppin and the boy's mother worked together and, eventually, the mother came to trust Leppin enough to let her baby-sit. Leppin's husband and the boy were friends and enjoyed playing video games together.
When her husband was not home around Christmas of 2007, Leppin led the boy to the bedroom, told him she loved him, and had intercourse with him.
And my pet peeve appears. She raped or sexually assaulted him. Saying she had intercourse with him is wrong.
The boy had the mental capacity of a 6-year-old, Hesson said. Because of the child's age, the crime did not fall under the sentencing guidelines of Measure 11, which requires a minimum of six years and three months in prison, Hesson said.
The mental capacity of a 6-year-old. I think that right there speaks volumes.
When confronted by police, Leppin first denied the allegations. She then came up with excuses, including her malfunctioning glands and alcohol. Most repugnant, she finally burst into tears and blamed the boy, Hesson said.
"The waterworks come on and she begins exhibiting behavior similar to what she's been exhibiting today," Hesson said. Leppin allegedly later sent her husband to the boy's house to collect a cell phone she thought might contain incriminating evidence.
"Throughout this investigation, she's made very forceful and very immediate denials about her guilt," Hesson said.
And this behavior often causes a lot of damage to the victims. Some victim have said that it has caused them more pain and anguish than the actual abuse. And next are comments that are nothing more than excuses:
Defense Attorney Eric Hanson said Leppin had no wish to deny the horrific nature of her crimes. He said post-partum depression and her protectiveness of her family kept her from thinking straight in the aftermath.
"Attempts to minimize were foolish and silly, and obviously lies," Hanson said. "It's inconceivable to her how she allowed this to happen."
"I'm sorry to (name deleted) and what has happened," Leppin said. "I know it's been really hard for them as much as for me." - Read the entire article here
The last line is a red flag to me. Saying it has been really hard for them as much as for yourself is not an apology but rather an attempt to solicit sympathy.
Friday, March 20, 2009
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