Raped and Pregnant at Age 14 – Forced by the Judge to Share Parental Rights with the Perpetrator for the Next 16-years
By: Susan Deborah Schiller
A young woman was attacked and raped, resulting in pregnancy at the age of 14. Her attacker, Jamie Melendez, who was 20-years old at the time of the impregnation, was convicted of rape and sentenced to 16-years probation. He had pled guilty. Against his wishes, part of his probation includes participating in family court and complying with the judge's orders to help care for this child until it reaches adulthood.
Sound fair to you?
The teenage victim must share parental rights with her rapist for the next 16-years and this is clearly against her will, as she is taking legal action to stop this horrendous violation of her rights.
"If you were raped, would you really want to share parental decisions with your attacker?" is a question I'd like to ask the judge who made the decision to send this case to family court, where it appears it was decided the rapist is deemed a fit parent to take part in an active parental role.
In effect, the victim has been sentenced to a life of never feeling safe. If visitation by the rapist is ordered by the court, how will she feel turning the child over to his care? Both the victim and her mother had repeatedly told the court that they wished to have no contact whatsoever with the perpetrator of the crime; however, their wishes were denied.
Every year 35,000 babies are born, due to rape. This victim's appeal is still in process – we can pray her voice is heard!
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. — Isaiah 1:17
Meanwhile, in Billings, Montana, a judge recently sentenced a former teacher to 30-days in jail for raping a 14-year old student. Montana District Judge G. Todd Baugh made his decision based on his assessment that the 14-year old girl was as much in control of the situation as her teacher, who was 54-years old at the time of sentencing.
Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence at least 20-years in prison for the former teacher; however, Judge Baugh felt that the teacher, Stacey Dean Rambold, had already paid enough for his crime by losing his job. He also stated that the victim was a troubled girl who was "older than her chronological age".
To me, the very statements the judge used as criteria to blame the victim indicate that this girl needed extra protection, not less. Unfortunately, she committed suicide two years later, just before her 17th birthday.
Judge Baugh has since apologized for "demeaning all women" but in the process of apologizing he went on to reinforce his decision by saying the rape was not violent, and therefore, deserved less of a penalty.
Breaking News Update – September 4, 2013: This just in from the Billings Gazette:
"Saying the sentence he imposed on a former Billings teacher for the rape of a student may be illegal, Yellowstone County District Court Judge G. Todd Baugh has ordered a new hearing… Baugh said in the order that the mandatory minimum sentence Rambold should have received appears to be two years, not the 30-day sentence that Baugh ordered on Aug. 26."
My News Sources: LosAngeles Times and Alternet
Latest Update as of April 24, 2015 (this article was originally published on September 2, 2013:
A Montana judge who was censured by the state's high court for his comments about a 14-year-old rape victim has been chosen for a lifetime achievement award by his local bar association...
Marian Bradley, Northwest regional director for the National Organization for Women, said the award was inappropriate given Baugh's conduct on the bench. Regardless of his prior accomplishments, Bradley said the Rambold case cannot be overlooked.
"The last chapter in his career, he put himself out there and did not protect a young girl and did not protect a community," Bradley said. "Giving him a lifetime achievement award is going to send people into tailspins." – Huffington Post
I am reminded of Jesus' words: "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea." – Matthew 18:6
But no, we give them extra honors and rewards.
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With all my love,
Sue
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
We will never know for sure, but it certainly appears that judge Baugh’s wrongful judgment contributed to and may have been the influence that pushed this young woman to murder herself.
My heart is heavy with your words, Robby. Another suicide… I was just thinking of her case a few days ago but I hadn’t heard the update until now. I will read up and pray. Thank you for sharing, Robby.
What saddens me is that both of the judges seem disillusioned about the ordeals. What if it had been their own daughter?
The case with the teacher is upsetting because I used to be a teacher, and I could never imagine having sexual relations with a student. That man was well aware of the laws, and he knew he was doing something wrong, whether she consented or not. He knew better, and a 30 day sentence shows no justice.
I couldn't imagine having a child through rape. Having to look at my child, whom I love, and remember the hate that created my child. That's has to be so heart breaking.
I'm signing the petition Susan. Thank you for letting us know.
YES!! Again I say YES!! You go Sue! You are an overcomer and you will be the voice of 'Abused NO More'!
Thanks for adding your voice, Linda… we can all do our own part, can’t we… I so much appreciate you!