Sebastian, Fla. — Debate is stirring nationwide over a case involving a Florida teenager who has been charged with felony child abuse for engaging in a sexual relationship with a female teammate, who is a minor.
Kaitlyn Hunt is an 18-year-old senior at Sebastian River High School — that is, until recently, when she was expelled from school after being arrested on criminal charges for having a same-sex physical relationship with a 14-year-old freshman. According to reports, both Hunt and the girl play on the school’s basketball team, and both were stated to have been in a consensual relationship.
However, when the coach found out about the two being romantically involved, she contacted the younger teen’s parents, who then called police. The girl’s mother, who also serves as a coach, had Hunt kicked off the team.
Police then set up a sting operation, having the girl call Hunt to discuss details surrounding their relationship. Based on the content of the discussion, since Hunt is considered an adult, they arrested her and charged the teen with two counts of felony child abuse for “lewd and lascivious conduct on a child ages 12-14.”
In the meantime, Hunt has denied the charges, claiming that the sexual relationship began when she was 17, and that she should therefore not be criminalized.
“I’m scared of losing the rest of my life, not being able to go to college and be around kids and my sisters and my family,” she told CBS News. “I’m just scared and hoping for the best…”
Hunts’ parents are supportive, and accuse the younger girl’s family of acting out in opposition merely because their daughter is a lesbian. The ACLU has also characterized the relationship as being harmless and consensual.
Additionally, a petition and Facebook page has been set up for Hunt called “Free Kate,” as tens of thousands are asking for the charges to be dropped.
“Thank you from a mother’s heart. Thank you for standing up for Kaitlyn and her cause,” Hunt’s mother, Kelley, recently told supporters.
However, others say that the case should be tried as it involves pedophilia and is not based on the teen’s homosexuality.
“This is called statutory rape. And it is wrong and the law is very clear on this topic,” wrote former criminal prosecutor Marcie Morgan in a blog post about the matter. “Taking sexual advantage of a younger, more vulnerable teen is a crime no matter what the orientation is of the perpetrator.”
“I don’t care if Kaitlyn Hunt was a transsexual or a hetero male. It is statutory rape because she is an adult and her victim is a child,” she continued. “When did the law change to protect lesbian sex predators when they abuse child victims?”
“This is a violation of the law that’s based upon an adult having sexual relations with a minor,” Charles Sullivan also told TODAY. “Gender, sexual orientation of the parties has absolutely nothing to do with the prosecution.”
State attorney Bruce Colton agreed.
“The law doesn’t make any differentiation. It doesn’t matter if it’s two girls or two boys, or an older boy and a younger girl or an older girl and a younger boy,” he said. “Whatever the combination, it doesn’t matter.”
Hunt was offered a plea deal, but refused. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Become a Christian News Network Supporter...
Dear Reader, has ChristianNews.net been of benefit and a blessing to you? For many years now, the Lord has seen fit to use this small news outlet as a strong influential resource in keeping Christians informed on current events from a Biblical worldview. With much compromise and many falsehoods in modern-day Christianity, we strive to bring you the news by keeping Christ and His word in focus. If you have benefited from our news coverage, please prayerfully consider becoming a Christian News supporter by clicking here to make a one-time or monthly donation to help keep the truth of God's word widely and freely published and distributed. May Christ continue to be exalted through this work!
