Posted on 06/20/2003 11:40:28 AM PDT by chance33_98
Day care operator accused of having sex with 14-year-old boy
Mandy Skarpa is accused of having consensual sex with a 14-year-old boy.
By Andy Cerota ABC13 Eyewitness News
(6/19/03 - ROSENBERG) A Rosenberg woman who runs a day care out of her home has been charged with indecency involving a teenage boy. Now it's up to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department to investigate, but she's married to one of their own.
Although her husband works for the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department, Mandy Skarpa's husband is not involved in the investigation at all.
Neighbors describe her as a good woman and a good mother. With regards to the allegations that have been brought to light, it's the last thing they say they ever expected.
"I'm just shocked at her, because, I mean, I thought she was a good friend and a good neighbor," said Glenda Toll. "You know, so I'm just amazed."
Toll says she was stunned after learning that Skarpa, her 38-year-old neighbor, was arrested for allegedly having sex with a teenager -- a 14-year-old boy believed to be someone she knew very well.
"I had all the faith and trust. Matter of fact, she even kept my kids overnight one night. I'm just shocked," Toll told Eyewitness News.
Skarpa is out of jail, but her troubles are far from over. The allegations she's faced with could cost her her license as a day care provider, which means Children's Protective Services could shut down the center which she's run from her home for years.
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department Chief Craig Brady said, "We have no information that indicates that she was doing anything inappropriate while there were any other young people around. Most of the activities have taken place after the day care clients have gone home"
Authorities arrested Skarpa on June 11, after being tipped off about the alleged relationship. Investigators say Skarpa and the teen have known each other for some time, and got together on numerous occasions at several different locations.
"So far the investigation indicates that it was consensual. However, legally a 14-year-old cannot consent," explained Chief Brady.
Neighbors who've known Skarpa and her family for years are having a tough time believing the allegations.
"I would doubt seriously that would happen," said Bill Fox. "Number one, there are too many people there, always. How would she find time to have an inappropriate relationship?"
Officials with Children's Protective Services tell Eyewitness News that Skarpa has voluntarily shut down her day care center which has been in operation since 1991. Authorities are still investigating the allegations. Once the investigation is complete, the charges will likely be referred to a grand jury.
And the girls know it too. When I was that age they all wanted the older guys.
Also not a mature physically either.
It was so prominent that my son felt guilty about it even ten years after the events. One of the women was married which caused all sorts of moral internal conflicts with my son who was good friends with the woman's husband. At one point after I was sufficiently out of the picture, she cut the flirtation off cold turkey. Once again, this only served to make my son feel all the guiltier, as if it had only been his fault all along. Some of it was. Most of it wasn't. He was being manipulated. And at that age I'm not about to place the blame solely on him.
One day my son came to me and talked about this incident ten years after the fact. He appologized for letting one of these people manipulate him. He also explained what had taken place. I'm still not confident he felt comfortable enough to spill it all.
Anyone that thinks men are the only leacherous group should rethink the issue.
I don't think women understand how much they screw young men up by acting this way. Heaping endless praise on the young man in groups and flirting with them individually when you're married can come to no good end.
Yeah and it didn't hurt to be a football star either lol. That counted me out.
Well, I think that that goes without saying.
Good question. You will surely be excoriated for asking it.
And I agree with you to a point, it's the girl who gets pregnant. Add to the fact males can more easily intimidate the female physically, even into consensual relations. But this woman should still have to pay some price, there's no guarantee he won't grow up emotionally scarred.
Yes, but I think that's her mug shot. But at 14, I doubt it would have mattered to me.
Gee, do ya think?
So true...boys at 14 think about sex 24/7.
Abuse is abuse, and manipulation is manipulation. Anyone who believes a 14 year old boy has no emotions to protect has no clue. This pedophile needs to be locked up with all the others, she used this child for her jollies ---just like other pedophiles.
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