Lesbian, 18, rejects plea deal that would have kept her off sex-offenders registry; case headed to trial

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, [email protected]

An 18-year-old high school senior, accused of having sex with her then-14-year-old girlfriend, has rejected a plea deal that could have kept her off Florida's sex-offender registry.

Kaitlyn Hunt of Indian River County is charged with two felony counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12 to 16 years old. If convicted, she would be sentenced from probation to 15 years in prison and registered as a sex offender.

State Attorney Bruce Colton said earlier this week that Hunt had until Friday to accept the plea offer made a month ago.

Hunt would have plead guilty to third-degree felony child abuse, facing up to five years in prison and not having to register as a sex offender, Colton said.

"The State Attorney's Office tendered an extremely lenient plea offer in this case which would have ensured that the defendant avoided any term of incarceration and the stigma of being labeled a sex offender," Colton said Friday in a news release. "In fact, in all probability, the defendant would have avoided being a convicted felon."

Hunt's attorneys, A. Julia and Joseph H. Graves, also issued a media statement Friday saying why Hunt would not accept the plea deal.

"Our client is a courageous teenager who is choosing not to accept the current plea offer by the State of Florida," the Graves said. "This is a situation of two teenagers who happen to be of the same sex involved in a relationship. If this case involved a boy and girl, there would be no media attention to this case."

Next for Hunt:

"They go to trial or a judge has the wisdom that the state attorney lacks and they dismiss the charges somehow," said supporter Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, the state's leading gay-rights group.

Colton said the case is scheduled to go to trial in mid-July.

Hunt turned 18 on Aug. 14, 2012. She and a 14-year-old classmate, known as C.S., began dating in November. They first had consensual sex just before Christmas in a bathroom at Sebastian River High School. The relationship continued through February, according to an arrest affidavit. The younger girlfriend turned 15 in April.

Since May 17, more than 268,000 people have signed an online petition begun by friends and family titled, "Stop the prosecution of an 18 year old girl in a same-sex relationship."

Smith said the petition was an act of desperation by Hunt's parents, to keep her from going to trial and, possibly, prison.

"This is the last thing the family wanted to do, make this public. They spent months talking quietly, trying to get the state attorney to be reasonable," Smith said.

In Florida, the legal age of sexual consent is 18. In 2007, the state adopted a “Romeo and Juliet” law that would keep 18 year olds from being registered as sex offenders if they had consensual sex with classmates age 15 or older.

Hunt doesn’t qualify because her girlfriend was 14 at the time they had sex, Colton said.

"No high school senior should be facing 15 years in prison for dating a schoolmate and a teammate under the circumstances described in this case," Smith said. "There are lots of freshmen dating seniors. A law meant to stop adults from preying on children should not be used to destroy two teenagers lives."

Earlier this week, the younger girl's parents, Jim and Laurie Smith, told CBS-12 News in West Palm Beach that they twice warned Hunt to stay away from their daughter.

"Another adult, a mother, came to me and said 'Ms. Smith you need to know this ... we told Miss Hunt to leave your daughter alone. But they are in a relationship, and she's 18.' Eighteen? My daughter is only 14," Laurie Smith told CBS-12.

If the case goes to trial, one or both of the girls will be asked to testify about their intimate encounters, Smith said.

"That’s the sexual abuse crime," she said, "to compel a teenager to describe the most intimate details and to plaster them all over the Internet."

Comments

[Alessandra]

Kaitlyn Hunt’s Parents – Aiding and Abetting Their Daughter to Commit Statutory Rape?
A question that has not been addressed regarding this case is the role of this predatory lesbian's parents. By the little information that has been reported, they encouraged their daughter, Kaitlyn Hunt, to target and groom underage girls for homosexual exploitation and statutory rape – something we can presume many other liberals parents also do.
Whether Kaitlyn’s parents can be legally defined as "aiding and abetting" in these harmful actions is a question for the justice system. But in practice, that is exactly what they seem to have done by the information reported. Apparently they had knowledge that their daughter was targeting girls for homosexual activity, they think this is normal, they encouraged it, and they counseled her to do it if she wanted to. Moreover, they did not report their daughter to authorities after her alleged statutory rape. If this wasn't enough, they adamantly want their daughter not to be prosecuted for the alleged statutory rape. In other words, they want their daughter to commit statutory rape of girls, as often as she likes, targeting as many kids as she wants, with total impunity. It’s clear that people defending homosexual statutory rape clearly espouse morally corrupt views on sexuality and work to destroy protections ensured by the law against child sexual exploitation and perversion.

[D]

Alessandra, what you stated is why the world today is so screwed up. Look how you took a tragedy and turned it into an ideological fight. If this is so wrong why are they allowed on the same team and school...to then share a locker room? Your extreme views are no different then how terrorist view our way of life. I would also like to point out how they also use religion to support their actions and beliefs. Furthermore, I would like to point out WWJD. I bet jesus wouldnt go on the internet, spreading hate and judging thy neighbor. People like you are the reason I don't participate in organized religion. It's obviously for those who cant think and simply follow. Have fun being a sheep. While those who think are free to live...love and let other do the same!

[Vickie]

I have to say Alessandra that you are absolutely right with your analysis. Does it matter if it is same sex exploitation or not, consensual sex or not? This eighteen year old was looking for homosexual activity, and targeted an underage girl. Period.

[Z]

WWJD? Easy, forgive those who repent and request forgiveness and tell them NOT to do it again. This sexual predator needs to be kept away from victims. Yes it is acceptable for school mates to date, BUT statutory rape is not. The claim that they had consensual sex is false. Sex between a 14 year old and an 18 year old is rape. Where are all the feminist to stand for the victim now?

[D]

Like trying to talk to a five year old with a temper tantrum... yes you are all right. I hope you guys are more in touch with what your kids are doing. It seems all of you live in a dark closet and dont see what they are exposed to on a regular basis. At 14 I and all my friends where very well aware of sex and I would say 90 percent where active in exploring sex in one way or another. We all make mistakes and statutory rape was established to stop adults(like priests) from molesting and raping kids. They where in a relationship and im sure they where intimate before she was 18. So it suddenly became and issue because a day passed and she was now 18 and not 17 and 364 days old. Come on take your heads out your ..... bibles lol! Any god would be ashamed with the amount of hate those who say they are faithful spit everyday.

[MalitoDiaz]

You are all crazy hypocrites. Stop judging this girl. You all did the same thing back in school. You just didnt get caught. Think back when you all turned 18 and you partner, male or female, was younger than you. did you all break up with them just so you stay within the law? Dont come now and give me some Bu.ll.SH.it about this girl being in the wrong.
Feel free to comment...

[throbo]

I see why the Parents of the young girl got upset but ruining her girlfriend's life is going to cause some major issues with their daughter in later years.

[MP]

I am sorry but I agree with Alessandra. It's not about boy girl or girl girl or boy boy it's about an 18 year old LEGAL ADULT (legal to vote, drive, etc) having sex with a 14 year old CHILD (classmates or not). If my daughter was having sex with an 18 yr old guy my husband (her dad) would probably kick his butt and he would be able to because legally the 18 yr old is a man not a boy. This case is no different because it's 2 girls. I would not approve of my 14 year old dating a 17 or 18 year old. Can't this girl find a girlfriend her own age? Are her parents dumb? Do they not know the laws? It's called statutory rape, plain and simple, consensual or not. If this story was about a boy and a girl it wouldn't be different the only difference is gay rights activists have turned this into a witch hunt and into a gay rights issue when IT IS NOT! THAT'S what's wrong with the world D, people making issues into something they should not be. This has nothing to do with religion or gay rights, it has to do with a legal adult having sex with a minor.

[MP]

By the way D, you claim to not post on these forums because of religious people bringing God into everything however, no one on here has talked about organized religion OR God or even mentioned it before you did. The only one talking about religion at all is you.

[Kenneth Newman]

This case and the defendant should be tried by a jury of their peers, in other words, the jury should have NO ONE on it over the age of 18.

[Sex Offender Issues]

Why does the reporter insist on inserting "LESBIAN" into the title of the article? Why not just leave that out and say it's about an 18-year-old female who had sex with another female?

Should I have inserted "heterosexual" or "homosexual" before "reporter" above? No of course not, so why do it here?

Kids are being ruined on a daily basis by the insane laws that are suppose to protect them and society from the worst of the worse, not stuff like this.

http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com/2007/12/child-sex-offenders.html

[MP]

Malito...that would be a correct assumption on your part if they had been dating or having sex prior to the girl turning 18 but they WERE NOT! She turned 18 in August and did not begin to date the 14 yr old until November! Therefore, she was 18 for 3 months before she started dating this girl.

[Concerned Parent]

I for one am glad she turned down the Plea deal. A RAPIST is a Rapist no matter what gender. If this was an 18 Yr. old Male, the same 268,000 people would be screeming for his head on a platter. And Mr. and Mrs Hunt if that 18 Yr. old boy was having sex with your 14 Yr. old Daughter, How would you feel? would you be asking the District Attorney NOT to prosecute?

[rvonk]

Read the article again. It states that they were 18 and 14 when they started dating and having sex. We all know that it is against the law for an 18 year old to have sex with a 14 year old. If either one of them were my children, I would have intervened in the relationship because I know it is against the law. Doesn't matter what sexual orientation they are. Doesn't matter if I agree or disagree with the law. It is still the law!

[D]

MP, im actually not going for either side. I see your point but when your 18 and just turned 18 you dont think like an adult at 30. Its not like on that birthday it all clicks and you become and adult. Humans dont function that way. If this was a man or woman not in the high school and they didnt date and have intimacy prior to her turning that magical number I would totally agree they should go to jail. Keep in mind that many people get married with an age difference well beyond 4 years! But she was dating her prior to turning 18 and as Malito pointed out, you dont just say ok im 18 so not into you anymore. Politicians created that cut off and funny enough we claim they are adults but they arent adult enough to drink. In my view its two kids in high school and should be treated as such. If it was a 22 year old teacher with a student I would have a different view. We all made mistakes and im sure if i was crucified like so many kids are today thanks to social media. I can be sure i wouldnt have been able to do anything with my life. You all keep being the angry mob with torches and the axes. We all know how that ends for everyone involved. I can speak from experience as I was 14 old boy when I slept with a 22 year old woman. I was no victim, I manipulated that woman to get what I wanted and I knew what I was doing. I simply feel for a child who may never enjoy life bc of a simple number and law when non of us know the full details other then the two young ladies involved.

[Ed Jenkins]

This is terribly irresponsible reporting, in this country we assume they are innocent until proving guilty so labeling this girl a lesbian is not appropriate unless it is proceeded by alleged. It is very disappointing that this alleged predator was offered a deal considering how much damage she has done to an innocent 14 year old by trying to lure her into a life of perversion. Hopefully is it was proven true that these acts took place she will receive the maximum penalty (only to be reduced by rehabilitation to turn her away from this destructive lifestyle) as this type of crime is the type of thing that is leading to the less moral society we are finding ourselves in every day.

[Z]

No one is assuming anything. This sexual predator is taking advantage of feminist hypocrisy. She admitted to what she has done and is unrepentant. It is interesting that when people do not believe in God, they will believe anything

[August]

So, it's the DEAL that will get her placed on the Sex registry....NOT HER THREAT.

DIRTY STATE OF FLORIDA!

[chris]

My 15 yr old I just found out is gay.If she was dating an 18 yr old I would be kicking her a#$ whether she is a boy or girl.All this fighting for equel rights goes both ways the good with the bad.You can't pick and choose on what subjects you want equels rights.

[MalitoDiaz]

I knew someone was going to make that point(MP).
I wasn't saying that was her case
It doean't matter if she was 18 before or after the fact. You can be 17 and you partner be 14 but the minute you turn 18 and still are having sex you are breaking the law. My point is that alot of people that are judging now were involved in that kind of a relationship at some point in their youth.

[John]

let her go to court, someone has to testify and guess what? The 14 year old will say she dont remember. Case closed

[Realistic]

What`s with all the guessing on WWJD? Like thats any more relevant then What would Santa Claus Do or What would The Tooth Fairy Do or What would The Easter Bunny Do! Fairytales are just that, Fairytales. Some may give you pleasant dreams, some nightmares but there are just Fables and Parables, period!

[Lou]

If the 18 year old was a guy, he would be going to jail. Plain and simple. Her sexual orientation should not be a factor in how the state prosecutes this case. I read somewhere that the 18 year old thought the 14 year old was of age by the way the 14 year old acted. That's the same lame excuse I hear 18 year old men give when they get together with a minor.

[C]

There are many facts which are not known and even the allegations are not clear from the reported information. 1. What type of sex were the two girls alleged to be engaging in? 2. What is the maturity level of the two girls? 3. Who was the aggressor in the encounter? 4. Did the parents know of the relationship and the ages of the girls when the relationship was occurring? 5. What actions did the parents take to try to ensure that a crime was not committed?

The last time I checked, you are innocent until proven guilty in this country.

What if a 14 year old girl has a relationship with an 18 year old girl. The 18 year old has an IQ of 90 and has a learning disability. The 14 year old is actually two days shy of 15 with an IQ of 140 and is extremely mature for her age interacting with only kids 17 or older. The two girls engage in a heavy kissing and touching encounter in a school bathroom. Has a crime been committed? What if the 14 year old starts doing very aggressive touching? Has a crime been committed? What if the 14 year old girl has a male sexual organ and penetration occurs? Has a crime been committed and if so who committed the crime?

Before we condemn either girl, in my opinion, we should withhold judgment until the facts are known and until this proceeds through the legal system.

[Ryan]

I say a protest,sit in,love in,whatever something needs to be done to help this poor girl.

[Rick]

An Adult alledgedly had sex with a minor. That is against the law. She needs to go to trial, and if this is found to be true, then convicted and punished for the crime

[boca spin doctor]

This is so ridiculous. Charges should be dropped immediately. There is a big difference between young children and sexual predators. Enough already with the prosecution and persecution of this young lady!!!!

[John]

This is what happens when you involve believes, religion etc. Right now everyone is accusing a person, yes 18, but she is still innocent until proven guilty. It is easy to point fingers at a 14, 15 or 16 year old kid and excuses their actions. But let me tell you how capable a kid of that younger age can be. I've seen 14 and 15 year old kids dressed so inappropriate, their manners below a basement. Most of them commit actions VOLUNTARILY of course until something happens that's no convenient to the minor, hell breaks loose. All I've read from this article, is an 18 year old (Not excusing her) committed sexual activities with a 14 year old (on which I can assumed she isn't stupid, retarded or diagnose with any illness, is perfectly healthy). Now, her parents found out she was gay, of course here in America we are all saints, NOT. Couldn't believed she was gay, now easy target, the 18yr old because she is an adult. Did she rape this poor girl? simply NO. Did she abuse her? NO. I can assure you all the activities both of them did, both equality LOVED IT. Sadly, the minor's parents found out, the pressure on this little girl is beyond anyone of us can bare, probably is what's going to affect her youth and life entirely. It isn't that she slept with an adult or X reason. Is because the media, the lack of parenting, the liberals and religious freaks will JUDGE anything that is not accordingly to what they believe is right, and that is the word GAY.... Now, did the 18yr old girl commit something wrong? YES. How can we teach her of what she did, not by throwing her in jail, on which is another factor as to why the penal system is just a creator of criminals. When you put in jail a person that the only "crime" was a complete wrong action, mixing this person with a high profile criminal, the only lesson you are teaching, is creating another criminal. After 5, 10 or 15 years in jail, this 18 year old girl will be someone that to survive jail, you do it with violence, committing more crime to stay alive. This is the person that could've gone to "Boot Camp", or one year of counseling, even more after all these craziness, last thing she will ever touch is a minor. I simply close this with, yes something has to be done, something beneficial, where we can help one and another for a better future. This pointing fingers, or God, or gay or straight, black and white, and the Jail, will never fix something that was wrong.

[Mike Moskos]

While I am completely opposed to these laws for reasons this case makes obvious (and the long term effects making any adult afraid to get near anyone under 18 who is not their own child), she should get no special treatment just because she is a female.

If this "pedophile" were an 18 year old male, there would be a mob outside his house ready to lynch him.

[citizen]

people should be allowed to have consensual sex, this current law sounds like a Nazi fascist law, the government should not get involved in people's sex life that's too much

[Karen D.]

Kaitlyn there are many people who stand behind you. Our society is nothing but judgmental people who are so closed minded as to myth from facts. Keep your head up and know that you are not alone and there are many families out there that have similar situations.

[Reader]

@Karen D,
Yep, many families that have sons in jail and now are registered as sex offenders ARE in the exact same situation. NO ONE is helping or speaking out for them. NOT YOU! NOT CHANGE.ORG! NOT THE NATIONAL MEDIA! HYPOCRITE!!! Welcome to equality under the law, ladies! Enjoy prison, Kaitlyn.

[William Stout]

I am a Pastor who works with many young people. Last week I was counseling a young man who is 18 years old and is facing sentencing on a very serious criminal charge for having sex with his 14 year old girlfriend. I have known this young man for years, and I would like to help him. But I had to tell him that what he did was wrong (which he admitted that he knew when he did it). No one is waging a campaign to "stop the hae" against this young man. In fact, most of our legislators agreed that it was important to protect 14 year old children from adults who want to have sex. I agree with these laws. So I was shocked when later the same day I heard there was a nationwide outcry to protect another 18 year old from prosecution for the same crime just becasue it happened to be homseual sex instead of heterosexual sex.

[William Stout]

You are right when you say that if this was a case between two heterosexual people there would not be all of this media attention. But that is not becasue people are discriminating against gay people, in fact the opposite is true. If this were a case between an 18 year old man having sex with a 14 year old girl, he would be prosecuted for the crime without any media attention and no one would be protesting his prosecuton. In fact, the general public, and most of the people complaining about this case would applaud the efforts of law enforcement officials who protect children from sexual exploitation by those olde rthan them. These laws exist for a reason. Wake up people! Why are you defending a criminal just becasue she happens to be gay? Are you serious? And in fact, she is not even the least bit repentant about this crime. Instead she is arguing that she did nothing wrong, that somehow this behavoir is justified becasue they are gay. If she is excused from this you are giving all 18 year old, (and others) the right to have sex with any 14 year old who they can persaude into "consent". Is that really what we want America? children are not old enough to give such consent, they can be tooeasily persauded to make decisions they regret for a lifetime. There is a reason these laws exist. People, stop defending crime.

[Chip Korngiebel]

Right on Z

[Chip Korngiebel]

You have time to do the crime. You have time to pay for the crime!!!

[Ray]

I don't see Kaitlyn as a sexual predator. A four year difference is not such a great difference in age, but since it falls on the line that we've created to separate adult from child: Kaitlyn 18, her girlfriend 14, we make a federal case out of it.

I'm sure that High Schools all over the USA are full of 18 year-old seniors who are having steamy relationships with "under-age" freshmen. Are we going to ruin all of their lives and label them sexual predators too? This Kaitlyn is a victim of unfortunate circumstances.

[Snerdly Fackle]

What a sad, ironic, revealing B-grade melodrama:

All around this country, including in Florida itself, there are people who are seriously, doggedly promoting legislation that would prohibit "Sharia Law" (most don't even know what it is) from being "applied" in their states (as though such a thing could ever happen - - which it most assuredly could not). The impetus behind that craziness, of course, is a combination of rank fear and bigotry energized by stunning ignorance.

How is this any different? In the case of this 18-year-old, she has been charged with a serious felony crime simply and only because a frighteningly vocal pack of fundementalist idealogues take the position that their religion (yes, it's all about religion)condemns same-sex behavior. All of the mumbling and grumbling about the difference between 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds and "statutory rape" (and again, most people don't know what that really means) is a smokescreen. It's bout somebody's (or, somebodies') religion - - and not too different from Sharia, at that.

Worse still, the police and prosecutors who are sponsoring this witch-hunt, also hiding behind religion and a highly-selective, targeted prosecution, have one thing in mind: re-election; because re-election brings power (though in that part of the state, it's kind of puny power) and, of course, an enhanced ability to make money (admit it, people!).

And then I read some of the illiterate and uneducated stuff that's been posted here (I rarely, if ever, come to places like this, and more rarely still, read this garbage and then write about it) ("equel?" Really? "persauded" to make decisions? Wow! Is there a school system there?)and I leave thinking: what's the greater danger to this country these days? A Congress that belongs to lobbyists, pitching aside truly representative government and the basic notions of compromise and accommodation that got this Republic started, or dumbed-down, jealous and mean-spirited and envious people who, being totally bereft of even basic abilities to engage in reason and logic, have to turn to myth and mob to make themselves what they think is "right."?

Close call. Next time I come down to Florida, as I drive through Indian River County, I'll be taking videos to send to Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert and Saturday Night Live. It'll be especially suitable for airing on The Comedy Channel.

[Chip Korngiebel]

Snerdly you would make a great politician. I would purifier my child not be raised by a moral less village of the damned.

[Rick]

So Snerdley....What say you is the cutoff age for an 18 year old to have sex with someone under 18. Do you mind if a male has sex with a 3 year old? 10 year old? 15 Year old? Does it matter if it is male on male? Male on Female? Female on Male? Female on Female? Is some of the answers obvious? Are others more difficult? Thats why we have laws. I dont think you would support a 19 year old male having sex with a 3 year old girl (maybe you would), yet you do support an 18 year old with a 14 year old. In the end what you or I support is irrelevant. The law has to draw a line somewhere, and though you or I might think its a gray line, the fact is, it is the law. It also does'nt matter of the genders of the individuals. The law is still the law, and this 18 year old alledgedly broke the law. Now, she needs to go to trial, plead her case, and see what the justice system says. As for me (even though my daughter is now grown and can make the choice if she desires to swing naked from the ceiling with 50 people, as thats her business), I am glad their are laws in place to protect our minors from being Victimized by Adults.

[Tina]

This was posted by Snerdly Fackle - And then I read some of the illiterate and uneducated stuff that's been posted here, ("equel?" Really? "persauded"? Wow! Is there a school system there?)Well, Snerdly Fackle, it's just too funny that you think you are superior to us all. Snerdly, your that's in the above quote should be thats, and oh, by the way, your fundementalist is spelled incorrectly too! Repeat after me, fundamentalist. Boo hoo!

[Chip Korngiebel]

Snerdley speaking of TV. I bet you cheer for the pedophiles on Dateline.

[Christoph Henrici]

I am shocked and sad to see how twisted our moral standing are becoming. This is not about politics and whatever lobby may have interest, this is about a 14 year old being abused by a legal adult. Anybody who helps to cover this fact is aiding and abetting this abuse.

[tammy]

I feel that how could this be a rape? No penis has enter the virginal area. No semen so where the the hard solid evidence

[Billy]

When I moved to Georgia Ten years ago there was two 18 year old boys were locked in two different cases for having sex with two fifteen year olds girls. So, for the Hunts and the gay community to say if she was a male charges would not have been brought against her is incorrect.

[K]

Quit making this about sexual preference! She did wrong by having sex with someone under age but I doubt this makes her a predator. She is guilty and her parents should have warned her to be careful regardless of the sex of the other person. I feel sorry for the children of these narrow minded people making all kinds of assumptions about someone they know nothing about! I hope your kids never mess up because apparently they will have no room for forgiveness, only judgement!

[Rick]

There is no such thing as Consensual sex between a minor and an adult. It doesn't matter whether you are gay or straight that has nothing to do with it. If I the parent of the 14 year old tell you to stay away from my child you best heed the warning because I will do anything it takes to protect my child and I don't care if your cute face with the tears ends up in prison. But i can tell from your banter that you and your family feel you have the right to sleep with a minor. Well you don't. As for messing up if that was a guy he would have no defenders and would be doing hard time. So where do we draw the line 12, 10 maybe 9 ? No I would have told my child to stay away from her or you'll be going to jail ! As heartbreaking to me as that might be the law is there for a reason .