Possible charges

[LeahC]

What is the name of your state? Wyoming

SO my 17 year old niece just told us shes pregnant and the father is 27. Her parents don't want to press charges but can he still be charged if someone else reports it even though they have parental consent. Could the parents possibly be charged for allowing it? Shes refusing to even see a dr till after her 18th birthday for fear he will be arrested.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Looks like the age of consent (for a female) is 16 Wyoming.

 

[LeahC]

Its actually 17 but its unclear because they also have the 4 year law where you can consent at a younger age if the person is no ore then 4 years of age older then you, but its considered assault at 17 if the person is in a position of power over the minor and in this case its the parents room mate who acts as a parent or guardian when the need rises for all the kids ie taking them to the drs school and such. And the relationship started when she was 16 and the parents have been lying to everyone about it to protect him.

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state? Wyoming

SO my 17 year old niece just told us shes pregnant and the father is 27. Her parents don't want to press charges but can he still be charged if someone else reports it even though they have parental consent. Could the parents possibly be charged for allowing it? Shes refusing to even see a dr till after her 18th birthday for fear he will be arrested.

PLEASE let her (and her parents) know to look at the age of consent law in Wyoming. The child NEEDS to see a doctor for both her own well-being and that of the unborn child.

Tell me this: Is the father in any position of authority over her? For example, a teacher, coach, clergy-person, counselor, etc.

 

[LeahC]

Hes the parents room mate, he helps out taking the kids to their drs appointments and to school things like that when hes not working. The relationship started when she was 16 and he was staying with them to care for her after she had surgery.

 

[Eekamouse]

To care for her after she had surgery? Where the hell were her parents? Why were they pawning off their parental duties onto a roommate?

 

[Zigner]

Looks like the age of consent (for a female) is 16 Wyoming.

Not in this case. In this case, since the guy is over 17, the AOC is 17 if the victim is more than 4 years younger.

https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2011/title6/chapter2/section6-2-316/ (see iv)

 

[LeahC]

To care for her after she had surgery? Where the hell were her parents? Why were they pawning off their parental duties onto a roommate?

She needed round the clock care for the first few weeks so they took shifts depending on everyones work schedules and the other kids schedules with school and sports and such>

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Did the recently change the law because WY used to be unusual in that they had a different age for Male and Female?

 

[Zigner]

There are, apparently, different crimes that can be charged. I believe the male/female differences apply to sexual abuse of a child (but I'm not 100% sure and I'm spent enough time on it already).

 

[TigerD]

If she needed round-the-clock care, I wonder if she was capable of consent? This is probably worth addressing with a Wyoming attorney or law enforcement professional.

TD

 

[Taxing Matters]

There are, apparently, different crimes that can be charged. I believe the male/female differences apply to sexual abuse of a child (but I'm not 100% sure and I'm spent enough time on it already).

If there is a sex difference in the treatment between male and female victims or offenders that difference would make for a possible Constitutional challenge. Most states that previously had such sex differences have eliminated them in part because of that problem.

 

[quincy]

I do not see any difference in how the sexual assault laws are applied to males and females. I did notice some laws were repealed, though.

Here is a link to Wyoming's sexual assault laws in 2017:
https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2017/title-6/chapter-2/article-3/

I agree with TigerD that you might want to discuss your niece's situation with an attorney in your area.

 

[Eekamouse]

She needed round the clock care for the first few weeks so they took shifts depending on everyones work schedules and the other kids schedules with school and sports and such>

What horrible parents she has! They didn't notice she was being preyed upon by their roommate or else they condoned it. Both options make me sick.

 

[HighwayMan]

...or else they condoned it.

Seems like they did condone it since they have been trying to protect him all along.