[JamesP81]

At least in my state, Illinois, the prosecution could have filed a Juvenile Petition for Minor in Need of Intervention, and given the children an appropriate disposition, other than a felony and the possibility of having to register as a sex offender.

I don't know about Illinois, but in many states a misdemeanor sexual offense still requires registry.

[Lawgvr1955]

In Illinois the children could have been made wards of the Court without there being a finding they had committed a criminal act, in essence the children were beyond the control of their parents for engaging in sexual activity at such an early age. The Illinois Sex Registry law would not have applied.