Posted on 05/21/2012 10:21:30 PM PDT by SmithL
Parents may pay the price for an illicit love affair between a teenage girl and her grown-up boyfriend.
Stephen Rogers Jr. faces a charge of statutory rape, but police have also charged his girlfriend's parents with child neglect.
The parents admitted they didn't stop the relationship, in fact they did something to signal their approval.
She's 15. He's 21.
Bottom line: Their sexual relationship broke the law.
But some do not see this as a black-and-white kind of issue.
The young love between a 15-year-old girl and her 21-year-old boyfriend has this neighborhood taking sides.
"Some 15 year olds may be able to handle it, and some may not," neighbor Virginia Presnell said.
"He seems like a good guy," neighbor Angela Moore said. "I know there's an age difference, quite an age difference, but they're actually a really good couple. They're almost one of those perfect little couples you never see anymore."
Police arrested and charged Stephen Rogers Jr. on a single charge of statutory rape, but he's dated the 15-year-old for months.
Her parents liked Stephen, and six months ago, they invited him to live with their daughter inside their home.
Some neighbors saw a problem.
"I don't think a 15-year-old should be with a 21-year-old," Presnell said.
But some neighbors like Moore seem conflicted.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
I will always be grateful to my maternal grandfather for running off all the 'hip' dudes my mother liked so much when she was a teenager. When my dad finally showed up, he got the stamp of approval, and the rest is family history.
My own daughter is 14 now, and I've already told her to expect the same from me. Thankfully, she gets it.
Best time I ever had with the tattoo/hardware guy was when I met him at the 4th of July party at my house. He shook my hand and asked how I was. I held onto his hand way too long, looked him in the eye, and said "About half-lit and carrying a weapon".
He washed dishes for the party after the dinner. And I never saw him again.
/johnny
Heh.... I've warned my daughter to expect that sort of thing from me if she ever brings some unworthy fella home.
When I was fifteen I scared off one of my (divorced) mom's wanna-be boyfriends in similar fashion. I'd watched the guy for a while, and had concluded that he was a no good, conniving con artist.
One evening when my mom was out of earshot, I flat out told him that I didn't think my mom was right for him, and that I was a troubled teenager who liked to play with guns.
Never saw hide nor hair of him again.
Laugh hysterically for no apparent reason, and the world tends to keep their distance.
I'm a believer in counterintelpro.
Especially where my daughters were concerned.
/johnny
You're a good man, my friend. Keep laughing ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.