Posted on 08/17/2008 4:32:31 PM PDT by buccaneer81
Boy's parents sue to get his baby from mom, 21 Saturday, August 16, 2008 3:12 AM By Mary Beth Lane THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH LANCASTER, Ohio --- A Pickerington couple and their son are fighting for custody of a baby born to a Lancaster woman charged with having unlawful sex with the boy, who was 15 at the time of conception.
A paternity test shows that the teen is the father of the baby born April 7 to Jane C. Crane, who was 19 when she became pregnant. Now, a judge has ordered him to pay $50 a month in child support and set visitation at seven hours a week.
Crane, meanwhile, faces criminal charges. A Fairfield County grand jury indicted her last month on two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony. Conviction carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a requirement to register as a sex offender for 25 years.
Crane is living with the baby and her family in Lancaster.
The boy's parents say they can provide a better upbringing for the baby than Crane can. Her household includes her stepfather, David L. Jacobs, who was convicted of domestic violence last year for hitting, choking and pointing a gun at Crane's 17-year-old sister and was placed on two years' probation, court records show.
"We don't want to have our granddaughter abused by these people," the boy's father said. "We are trying to do the right thing.
"The child support was the icing on the cake. I couldn't believe that our son has to pay child support to his abuser."
The Dispatch does not identify victims of sexual abuse.
Crane is scheduled for a pretrial conference before Common Pleas Judge Richard E. Berens on Aug. 21. A hearing and a status conference in the custody dispute are scheduled for next month before Domestic Relations Judge Kathy S. Mowry.
Crane, now 21, is not a suitable custodial parent in part because she may have committed a felony by having sexual intercourse with a minor younger than 16, the boy's parents argue in court papers seeking custody.
Crane declined to comment. She is free on a $5,000 recognizance bond pending trial. Her attorney, Sandra Davis, did not return calls. Lawyer Jennifer Strunk, the court-appointed guardian ad litem representing the baby's interests, said through a spokesman that she could not comment.
That a 19-year-old woman had sex with a 15-year-old boy might seem like no big deal to some, but it is a serious charge, said Assistant Prosecutor Julia Dillon.
It makes no difference that it is an adult female charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor boy rather than the more common instance of an adult male charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor girl.
"It is an age and maturity issue, not a gender issue," Dillon said. "He's a young boy coming into his own, being taken advantage of by an adult."
There could yet be a plea agreement. "I have made what I consider to be a reasonable offer, but I have not received a response," she said.
The incident has had lasting affects on the boy, now 16, his mother said.
"He has nightmares, he is stressed out," she said. "He is a father, even though it was a crime for him to be a father. His life is changed forever."
Crane got to know the family while she worked at a local movie theater with the boy's older sister. When Crane said that her stepfather was abusive, his family allowed her to move in with them.
The boy's sister later bought her own home and Crane moved in with her. It was there last summer that Crane had sex with their son at least twice, his parents said.
mlane@dispatch.com
She had an affair at work, I did not want a divorce, she did, she got custody, and that's how it works out for millions of men in this country every year.
But thanks for prejudging me.
Without information about the father’s family...how do I know this is the worst household of the two?
Please don’t put somebody else’s words in my mouth. I’m posting tonight from a cell phone, which is difficult enough without having to defend someone else’s position.
Child support is just that; child support. Whoever has custody, they will spend considerably more on the baby than $50 a month.
If the boy and his parents care at all about the baby, they wouldn’t resent contributing a paltry $50.
Classy response to a moronic question....kudos!
I’m not prejudging you, at all. (shrugs) Whatever insecurities you are feeling have little to do with the fact that you live in a separate household from your children and I doubt very much that you’d want someone outside your own household telling you how to run it. Funny that you don’t give your ex wife the same courtesy. Prejudiced?
There is no mention of a person who is a criminal domestic abuser living in the boy's house. There is such a person living in the mother's house. If that's not enough for you, then the only conclusion I can draw is the obvious...that you are on the woman's side no matter what.
Which part of the custody/support racket employs you?
I know this is difficult for you, but take it slow, and I think you'll understand. They do not want to pay $50 a month to have their granddaughter in a family that will abuse her, and would prefer to pay any amount to support and raise her themselves. Got it? Hsnk
When it comes down to my child and my money, I have every right to question.
BTW, how much do you get every month?
Where are all the guys who think this 15 year old “got lucky” now? I thought sex between a teenage boy and an older woman wasn’t the least bit traumatic? At least that’s what I’ve heard. Seems not so true in this case.
Against selfish adulterers (of either sex) who destroy families? You bet.
What happened to all the FR men who think the boy is lucky?
Where are the pictures of the female perp so posters can vote on guilt or innocence based on looks?
She's a criminal and the boy is underage. And he should pay? Are you nuts?
Oh don’t be obtuse. They very well might have taught him to say no, most likely did, but he just didn’t say no. You’ve never heard of this?? Do you know what a 15 year old boy is like, or are you a 15 yo girl? You certainly have the reasoning ability of one.
Which part of the custody/support racket employs you?
There's very little information given about the father's family except what the father's family has said. If your concern for this story has anything to do with the welfare of the child, I would think that the background and criminal history of BOTH families would be important. If all you care about is screwing a woman because you got screwed yourself...then your priorities are sorely misplaced.
And I'm the taxpayer that gets stuck supporting these kids when the parents can't get their act together and work as a freakin' team until they turn 18.
I thought you could use a really good laugh, reading her posts.
BTW, how much do you get every month?
If that child isn't in YOUR household...you don't!
I don't get any child support. I keep my husband happy enough to keep coming back for more, darlin'.
Gee, that makes them suspect, right?
How old were you when misandry became a part of your life?
You’re right. I don’t do sarcasm tags. This boy is sexually assaulted and is sentenced - punished - to paying child support.
Incidentally, I got the same treatment for you from family court. She cheated, did drugs, etc.; walks out on me, gets custody, alimony and the car. I got the bills.
No one is blaming the girl, they are blaming the woman who did this.
I have a 14 yo son and have had many 15 yo sons (4) And your reasoning is grossly lacking, and overcome by your over-emotional and illogical feministic response.
The article brings nothing out against the boy’s parents. I had a grandson born out of wedlock. You think I never told my son not to keep it zipped? Snort! Of course I did! And did he? Nooooo.
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