Posted on 11/09/2004 9:43:53 AM PST by machman
n a case eerily similar to a notorious Washington state prosecution where an older woman had sex and children with a teen boy, a Spring Lake woman has been charged with three counts of rape for having sex with a 14-year-old boy.
Authorities believe Stephanie Elizabeth Bissell, 34, is pregnant with the boy's child.
Bissell, 214 N. Park, was arraigned Friday in Ottawa County's 58th District Court on three charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, all involving the same 14-year-old boy. Bissell demanded a preliminary examination and bond was set at $3,000.
If convicted, Bissell faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
As part of her posting bond, Bissell was ordered by District Judge Richard Kloote to notify the court 24 hours in advance if she is planning to have an abortion.
Assistant Prosecutor Greg Babbitt said this morning the bond condition requiring 24 hours notice prior to a possible abortion was designed to preserve evidence. Babbitt said he has information the woman -- who court officials said was estranged from her husband and has a 15-year-old daughter -- is pregnant, possibly by the boy.
"Our concern is to prevent a loss of evidence," he said. "No one has the right to destroy evidence."
Ottawa County Sheriff's deputies were alerted to the case by the alleged victim's parents.
While he said he could not go into details, Babbitt said the defendant did not hold an authority position over the alleged victim, such as being a teacher. Babbitt said the prosecution is pressing third-degree criminal sexual conduct charges, instead of first-degree CSC, because there is no evidence of physical injuries to the victim.
Babbitt acknowledged that cases like this are rare in West Michigan. "It is very unusual for us," he said.
Bissell did post 10 percent of the bond amount and was released. A pre-preliminary examination was set for Tuesday.
The case bears similarities to one in Washington state seven years ago that gained national notoriety. In 1997, 34-year-old elementary school teacher Mary Kay LeTourneau was charged with having sex with a 13-year-old student, Vili Fualaau.
When LeTourneau was arrested, she was already pregnant with Fualaau's daughter. She was sentenced to six months in jail for second-degree child rape and ordered to stay away from him.
A month after LeTourneau got out of jail, she was caught having sex with Fualaau in her car. She was sent to prison and gave birth to Fualaau's second daughter behind bars.
She was released in August and a judge lifted an order barring LeTourneau from contacting Fualaau, now 21. LeTourneau said on Larry King's television show in October the two are now engaged to be married.
The two daughters, now 6 and 7, have been raised by Fualaau's mother.
© 2004 M
Assistant Prosecutor Greg Babbitt said this morning the bond condition requiring 24 hours notice prior to a possible abortion was designed to preserve evidence. Babbitt said he has information the woman -- who court officials said was estranged from her husband and has a 15-year-old daughter -- is pregnant, possibly by the boy.
"Our concern is to prevent a loss of evidence," he said. "No one has the right to destroy evidence."
Hmmm, I wonder where the NAG gals stand on this. Do they have the right to tell this woman what to do with her body?
Ping
This woman should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. She knows better. She betrayed the trust of the parents and her family. If the situation was reversed with an older man and a teen female, the man would be considered a pedophile.
Also, what is this world coming to? What is going on with all of these people having sex with children? I am appalled and sickened by this whole thing!
Pedophiles are pedophiles, even if they are female.
Bissell?
There's a joke in there somewhere.
Would like to hear from any freepers out there, that had sex with an older women when they were teens, and subsequently, had there life ruined as a result.
Expect more and more similar stories, always with the sympathetic tilt of the LeTourneau coverage.
The thing I wonder every time I see an article about these women are "what the hell do they see in those boys?".
Historically, women have generally been attracted to older, more powerful males. What they find attractive about a teen or pre-teen boy is completely beyond me.
LQ
---can't make the claim myself, but have known several guys who were "seduced" by the "older woman" in their teens---they sure didn't feel "molested" and managed to go on to useful, productive lives---
GAAAH!
*Chuckle*
I am SO doomed for that..
They weren't ruined, and turned into crazed sex deviats??!!!
I just don't understand these things. As the mother of 16 and 12 year old boys I can say that these boys are not men. When it comes to sex, I want a man, a fully developed man.
This is pathetic. If she should have this baby.. This baby would be the half brother of her 14 year daughter, the father of a boy who is younger than her daughter.
You should added a mega barf alert with this story.
Another Kerry voter.
Save a Horse ride a Cowboy, with the emphasis on boy.
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