My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida
I have a 12 year old daughter who recently went on vacation with her best friends family. During the vacation the family's 16 year old son inappropriately touched my daughter. I'm a little confused on the law here ... as I understand it, this is illegal even though they are both minors???
Minor Molesting Another Minor
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04-30-2008, 09:40 AMhnhflMinor Molesting Another Minor
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04-30-2008, 01:11 PMBaystategirlRe: Minor Molesting Another MinorYes. Your child was molested. Have you reported this to the police?Quote:
Quoting hnhfl
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04-30-2008, 06:05 PMhnhflRe: Minor Molesting Another Minor
We just found out about this today and we're currently discussing the details with our daughter, and the 16 yr. old's parents. If I'm correct than this would be a felony? We want cooler heads to prevail and still protect our daughter so that no mistakes are made.
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04-30-2008, 07:33 PM525601minutesRe: Minor Molesting Another Minor
If you look in your yellow pages (who has those anymore?) or online - I am certain you can find some sort of women's crisis hotline for victims of sexual crimes in your county. You may wish to call them anamously(sp?) and get their advice on how to proceed. Best of luck to both families and especially your daughter. That was very brave of her to tell you about what happened. I am proud of her.
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04-30-2008, 08:22 PMBaystategirlRe: Minor Molesting Another MinorYou should NOT be discussing this with either your daughter or the perpetrator. You should be at the police station so that PROFESSIONALS can find out what happened.Quote:
Quoting hnhfl
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05-01-2008, 08:18 AMhnhflRe: Minor Molesting Another MinorThank you; that's a great suggestion! I will do that.Quote:
If you look in your yellow pages (who has those anymore?) or online - I am certain you can find some sort of women's crisis hotline for victims of sexual crimes in your county. You may wish to call them anamously(sp?) and get their advice on how to proceed. Best of luck to both families and especially your daughter. That was very brave of her to tell you about what happened. I am proud of her.
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05-01-2008, 08:41 AMhnhflRe: Minor Molesting Another MinorIt is important that we get the details of what happened before we run out and get the cops involved. I know first hand the difficulties a victim goes through when involving the police, not to mention what this could potentially do to their son. I now know the series of events that took place (I'm not about to discuss them on here), and I do not think we will be calling the authorities. However, we are all sitting down with the boy and a professional tonight, and I would just like to explain to him just how much trouble he could get himself in (in other words I would still like to know exactly what the law is in FL in circumstances such as this so that he knows the seriousness of the situation). Can someone please help me clarify the law here?Quote:
Quoting Baystategirl
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05-01-2008, 09:37 AMHappy TrailsRe: Minor Molesting Another Minor
Without specifics (and I'm not asking for them, since you prefer not to disclose) You should go to the Florida Statutes and start reading under crimes.
This thread seems to also fit the crime with the little info you did disclose.
http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44687 -
05-01-2008, 10:53 AMhnhflRe: Minor Molesting Another MinorAh HA! Thank you so much! I have found it:Quote:
Quoting Happy Trails
since this pretty much covers the act ... "forces or entices a person under 16 years of age to so touch the perpetrator, commits lewd or lascivious molestation."
Then this would be the law ...
"(d) An offender less than 18 years of age who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084."
I really and truly appreciate everyone's help. Thanks again! -
05-02-2008, 01:08 AMaardvarcRe: Minor Molesting Another MinorQuote:
Quoting hnhfl
The problem is that you are not qualified to investigate such matters. Children are easily led, even unintentionally, and you are too close to the child to properly interrogate without undue influence. (And if it turns out that a crime was committed after all, the defense is going to have a wonderful time destroying your child's credibility - commonly saying things like "well mom talked to the child about this for months before reporting, who knows WHAT she put in the child's head"). Folks who ARE qualified to do such investigations have many years of psychology, child development, and victimization expertise. Yes, it IS a difficult process, and it can be even MORE traumitizing for a child to have someone without professional training trying to get answers out of them. Contact your local child advocacy organization and get THEM to provide a trained advocate to speak with your child. From there you can decide whether or not to go to police and pursue any criminal matter.