Complicated child support case

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A 19-year-old woman from Lancaster, Ohio, Jane Crane, has been charged with unlawful sexual conduct after allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a 15-year-old boy while staying at his home. The situation escalated when Crane became pregnant, and paternity tests confirmed the boy as the father. Despite the circumstances being classified as statutory rape, a court has ordered the boy to pay $50 a month in child support. This has sparked discussions about the fairness of the legal system, particularly regarding the responsibilities placed on the boy, who is considered a victim due to his age. The conversation highlights concerns about consent, the complexities of child support laws, and the implications for both the boy and the child involved. Many participants express that the legal framework appears unjust, especially in cases involving minors, and question the adequacy of support systems for young parents. The discussion also touches on the broader societal issues surrounding teenage pregnancy and the roles of adults in such situations.
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http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25898.aspx
It began when a 19-year-old girl from the town of Lancaster, Ohio was accused of molesting a 15-year-old boy. Jane Crane was allowed to stay at the child's Columbus-area home when allegations surfaced that her stepfather was being abusive.

But something apparently clicked between the girl and the underage son of those providing her temporary refuge. She's since been charged with unlawful sexual conduct, after allegedly having physical relations at least twice with the underage boy.

So far, the story is somewhat sad, but not that unusual.

But here's where it takes an odd turn. The teen became pregnant as a result of the encounter and paternity tests prove the boy is the father of the little girl, who was born in late April.

Now a court has ordered the youngster to pay $50 a month child support, despite the fact the act that resulted in the child's birth was apparently illegal.

Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.
 
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Math Is Hard said:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25898.aspx


Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.

From what you posted, there's nothing to suggest that it wasn't consensual. Just because she did something illegal, doesn't relieve him of responsibility for his actions.
 
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If this did go down as reported, and she is convicted of the crimes she is accused of, then the boy was unable to legally consent to sexual activity due to being underage.

Can you imagine? First being victimized by someone he thought he could trust, and then being ordered to pay that person for the next 18 years. This kid is probably going to need a good therapist no matter how it pans out, which is really unfortunate.
 
Statutory rape is a load of crap. 15 year olds had kids all the time "back in the day" and 18 is a really arbitrary number.

The only question is did he consent or not? He might have been coerced or threatened. If he just decided to jump right in, well that's how it goes. Should have had a condom.
 
Mike H said:
First being victimized by someone he thought he could trust, ...

Every 15 year old's wet dream? The real issue is where were the adults.

As a minor, they are the ones on the hook for the child support anyway. I'd be surprised if he feels victimized yet.

Now maybe the parents might feel victimized, but then again there is a wide range of possibilities as to the circumstances here, so even that is hard to know.
 
Math Is Hard said:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25898.aspx


Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.

Girls who get raped and pregnant, are stuck to care for the child (usually).

Guy gets raped and girl gets pregnant, so he also gets stuck to care for the child.

Kind of weird.
 
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Math Is Hard said:
Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.
Child support is not for the benefit of the caretaker it is for the benefit of the child, hence I am of the opinion that both parents should to be held responsible for the raising of the child.

Very sad story.
 
WarPhalange said:
The only question is did he consent or not?

Legally, no.
 
There are so many child support issues in this world and what ever surprises me is how anyone can possibly refuse to support their own biological child. The child has no fault in how it was conceived and is not accountable for the quality of the relationship between the biological parents .
 
  • #10
Math Is Hard said:
Legally, no.

Yeah, the law is messed up, I thought I had mentioned that in my post? Legally you get sent into a small cell for a number of years for holding some grass in your pocket.
 
  • #11
It might be the best possible outcome if the boy's parents are awarded custody of the baby. Poor kid. It sounds like mother and baby have gone back to the "abusive" home she was trying to escape. If the mother goes to jail, the baby could possibly be left in a bad or even dangerous situation for a while.
 
  • #12
Stories like this are bound to happen as long as the law forbids abortions for men.
 
  • #13
jimmysnyder said:
Stories like this are bound to happen as long as the law forbids abortions for men.

That's a bit like a law to un-ring a bell.

Or un-shoot a bullet.
 
  • #14
jimmysnyder said:
Stories like this are bound to happen as long as the law forbids abortions for men.
Very true, I think.

Both of the kids probably knew better. It's more likely than not that they intended on having sex but did not intend on having a baby.
 
  • #15
On a related note, how does the law deal with sex between two underaged participants?
 
  • #16
Gokul43201 said:
On a related note, how does the law deal with sex between two underaged participants?

I remember a case (in the US) where the male was charged. Nothing happened to the female.
 
  • #17
Ha ha...I got to say, there's a line where the government really shouldn't be allowed to cross, like what Gokul is mentioning...
 
  • #18
I wonder why she didn't do abortion.

I think all blame goes to her step father
 

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