Posted on 05/20/2013 12:47:07 PM PDT by presidio9
An 18-year-old Florida student’s senior year has become a nightmare — all because she was in a same-sex relationship with a 15-year-old, her family says.
Kaitlyn Hunt was arrested Feb. 16 for having a physical relationship with a younger classmate, who was her girlfriend at the time, mom Kelley Hunt Smith wrote on Facebook.
Under Florida law, Hunt could see up to 15 years in prison and must register as a sex offender. A plea deal, however, remains on the table that would give Hunt two years' house arrest and one year of probation, her family said.
“Does my daughter deserve to lose her life for 15 years, or 3 years, or to have no life, because of one choice she made in high school, absolutely not!!” Hunt Smith wrote Friday, adding, “This is a mother’s nightmare.”
The distraught mom and her family has launched an online campaign asking supporters to petition the State Attorney’s office in Indian River County and have them reconsider the charges.
“The (assistant) state attorney, Brian Workman needs to use taxpayers money to prosecute REAL criminals, not a high school student who has never been in trouble a day in her young life, all because she had a mutual consenting relationship with someone who has bigoted parents,” wrote Hunt Smith, who didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment Sunday.
Hunt’s uncle, Andrew Gay, told the Daily News that the girls were in the same social circle at Sebastian River High School and played together on the basketball team.
In September, after Hunt turned 18, she and the other girl, a freshman, began dating and expressed their relationship in “intimate ways,” the family said.
But when the basketball coach found out about their relationship, Hunt was thrown off the team and the other girl’s parents were notified.
The parents then told police, and a phone call was recorded between their daughter and Hunt in which the girls discussed their relationship, Gay said.
The age of consent in Florida is 18.
Hunt was arrested on two counts of felony lewd and lascivious battery on a child ages 12 to 16, jail records show.
Her family was devastated.
“We certainly aren’t saying that all 18-year olds anywhere should be able to date all 15-year olds,” Gay said. “But this is a situation where these two girls were in the same social circle, on the same basketball team. I just don’t think Kaitlyn looked at this girl and thought, 'She’s a certain age, so she’s off limits to me.'”
Hunt Smith claims the other family was upset because their daughter was in a same-sex relationship and believed that Hunt had somehow “made” their daughter gay.
“Of course I see it 100% different,” Hunt Smith wrote. “I don’t see or label these girls as gay. They are teenagers in high school experimenting with their sexuality, all teens do it in one form or another. ... And even if their daughter is gay, who cares, she is still their daughter.”
Hunt was expelled from the high school and agreed to have no contact with the other girl. She also transferred to an alternative high school.
Although she’ll be allowed to walk with the graduating class at Sebastian River High School, her final year — and future — has been tainted by scandal.
“Should the girls have made better choices, YES. I agree," Hunt Smith said, "but is this criminal, no."
The State Attorney’s Office in Indian River County couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Regardless of whether the family takes the plea, Gay said, a felony child abuse charge will ruin his niece’s future and her dream of one day becoming a nurse.
“She’s been a great student, so bright and not troubled at all,” Gay said. “She was voted ‘most school spirit.’ What’s happened to her now is ridiculous.”
If it were an 18 yr old boy and this 15 yr old, what would happen?
Big deal
If it would have been MY 15 year old, there’d be one less 18 year old around.
It seems to me that if every High School boy who was 18 was arrested and prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with his 15 year old girlfriend - there would be a LOT of people sent from High School to prison.
Actually, no. It was one adult and one kid.
she’s hot, so Not Guilty ;-)
Equality.
If they’ll put 18-year-old men in jail for screwing a 15-year-old they have to do it to women, too.
Now, should the law be changed for everyone? That’s a different matter all together. But it damn sure shouldn’t be changed only for 18-year-old lesbians.
“the girls were in the same social circle at Sebastian River High School and played together on the basketball team.”
I think I’ve seen this movie.
Well if you are into big bulging scary eyes.
Gays want equal rights, welcome to statutory rape.
I guess that makes this a "teachable moment." The questions that need to be asked are "Why was this law created in the first place?" Why isn't it prosecuted? Have 15 year-olds evolved to the point where they are now capable of making adult decisions for themselves? If so why?
Glee?
There’s something not quite right about her face and eyes.
If she puts on another 40 lbs, ole BJ will love her.
Equal rights is equal rights.
Equal under the law.
Yes. Look up Marcus Dixon.
Seriously? You can't make this stuff up!
hehe
Gays want end to laws against pedophilia. Fifteen is OK? Why not fourteen? Thirteen? Ages are just arbitrary based on societal norms. Who’s to say what’s normal? How can we deny younger people happiness?
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.