Underage employee girl, sending me pics and texts of a sexual nature.

[therealkeeper]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? washington state

I have a worker of mine, (I'm her manager.) She is romantically interested in me, and is 17 years old. She began sending me sexually explicit texts and pictures showing her half undressed sometimes basically nude. I talked to her about it, and she agreed to stop doing it. I have deleted all the content and retain a good employee/manager/friend relationship with her. She admits to still liking me but does not continue to send anything that could be deemed inappropriate.

My problem is that I'm very worried this could come back to bite me. Through text/email tracing, or if a complaint is filed by her or someone who finds out, it would be obvious these comments pics, etc came to and from me.

I have written a statement and texted/emailed her asking her to stop, to get something on the record. I'm also having her do the same, sign something say that she did it, but was told not to and has stopped doing so. What else can I do? What are my rights and the right thing to do.

I'm terrified for my job, life, safety, freedom, etc. And am willing to own up and do the right thing here because I should have never allowed it to happen, which it did for a short time. I never acted on anything or saw her outside of work, this is strictly all text/email communication.

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? washington state

I have a worker of mine, (I'm her manager.) She is romantically interested in me, and is 17 years old. She began sending me sexually explicit texts and pictures showing her half undressed sometimes basically nude. I talked to her about it, and she agreed to stop doing it. I have deleted all the content and retain a good employee/manager/friend relationship with her. She admits to still liking me but does not continue to send anything that could be deemed inappropriate.

My problem is that I'm very worried this could come back to bite me. Through text/email tracing, or if a complaint is filed by her or someone who finds out, it would be obvious these comments pics, etc came to and from me.

I have written a statement and texted/emailed her asking her to stop, to get something on the record. I'm also having her do the same, sign something say that she did it, but was told not to and has stopped doing so. What else can I do? What are my rights and the right thing to do.

I'm terrified for my job, life, safety, freedom, etc. And am willing to own up and do the right thing here because I should have never allowed it to happen, which it did for a short time. I never acted on anything or saw her outside of work, this is strictly all text/email communication.

What type of business is this?

 

[therealkeeper]

Its a restaurant, family owned. No policy against staff dating or anything, even though we never did. The "sexting" laws arent clear in this state so any advice is appreciated.

 

[Just Blue]

Its a restaurant, family owned. No policy against staff dating or anything, even though we never did. The "sexting" laws arent clear in this state so any advice is appreciated.

May I ask why this girl has your cell #?

 

[cyjeff]

May I ask why you didn't inform YOUR superior/her parents?

 

[therealkeeper]

May I ask why this girl has your cell #?

We use online scheduling, she texted me one time about work, then continued to. I'm a very charismatic flirty person so from time to time I would reply to her texts. At this point I dont and she knows and respects the relationship. My worry is that something could come up, or that if she became angry she could use it against me.

 

[therealkeeper]

May I ask why you didn't inform YOUR superior/her parents?

Like I said she's a great girl and in the beginning I thought she was just being very friendly. As soon as it crossed the line I put a stop to it, but she's a great worker, does well in school, etc. I don't want to get her in trouble and I dont feel she should be punished considering the fact that she stopped immediately when I asked her to.

 

[therealkeeper]

I'm happy to answer questions, but hopefully I've laid it out enough so that i can get the advice I'm looking for, if any exists.

 

[cyjeff]

Ah... now I see.

You flirted with a child, the child responded and now you want to CYA.

Whatcha think will happen in the child sends the lead up texts to YOUR boss?

 

[therealkeeper]

Ah... now I see.

You flirted with a child, the child responded and now you want to CYA.

Whatcha think will happen in the child sends the lead up texts to YOUR boss?

I think it could be very bad for me, again this was pretty harmless stuff leading up to it, she sent the pictures unsolicited to me, which I stopped. Also I had a talk with her and she's been very understanding so far.

But yes that's the scenario, what I am doing is looking for advice to do the right thing and solve this potential problem. Also just FYI age of consent is 16 here but the "sexting" laws are very strange. I take full accountability for making a mistake to even continue a friendly relationship, but am looking for advice as I thought this was what the forum was here for. I wrote a statement admitting my actions which helped lead to this, and am fully willing to come clean. Just need help on what I should do exactly.

Thanks to any who can help

 

[Just Blue]

I'm happy to answer questions, but hopefully I've laid it out enough so that i can get the advice I'm looking for, if any exists.

Mr/Ms

charismatic flirty person

You actually DID "lay" out enough. Consult with a Criminal Law Attorney.

 

[therealkeeper]

Yes, once again I admit my wrongdoing. I thought this was the place for that I apologize if it isn't. Just trying to do the right thing but I will try to look into that. Never been in legal trouble in my life so I'm very unfamiliar with this all. Again sorry from the snide answers it seems like this was the wrong place to come. Thanks for your time.

 

[Just Blue]

Yes, once again I admit my wrongdoing. I thought this was the place for that I apologize if it isn't. Just trying to do the right thing but I will try to look into that. Never been in legal trouble in my life so I'm very unfamiliar with this all. Again sorry from the snide answers it seems like this was the wrong place to come. Thanks for your time.

You came for advice. You got it. Seek a Criminal Attorney. This is based just on what you admit here.

 

[cyjeff]

The advice is simple - you need to inform your superiors, her parents and, most likely, get a criminal attorney.

Why? Because she has evidence of your possession of child porn. Even though you deleted it. You still possessed it. A judge will look at your and her statements of "she did it and I didn't even ask for it" as an adult persuading a victim to help CYA.

in a nutshell, there are things you can let slide as a manager and things you can't. Having an employee wrap you up in a felony that will get you placed on the sex offender list isn't something you let slide.

I will let you talk to God about how many times you looked at them before you deleted them. If it was more than once to see what it was, seek help. Today.

 

[davew128]

Really cyjeff? Someone who may have looked at am unsolicited nude picture of a 17 year old girl is need of that kind of help? Really? Should anyone who looked at Miley Cyrus a few years ago in Vanity Fair also seek that help? Is that what this world has come to?

What you're suggesting there is a whole different issue than the legal one about possession of child porn in a criminal sense.