Statutory Rape

[luca]

My question involves child abuse or neglect in the State of: Indiana

My daughter is 16 and pregnant. The father is 19. Is this considered statutory rape in the state of Indiana? ALso, can I make him pay for 1/2 of the medical bills that I am accruing?

[Dogmatique]

The age of consent in Indiana is 16.

It would appear that no crime has been committed.

No, you generally cannot claim medical bills in that manner. Once the child is born, your daughter needs to file to establish paternity, child support and custody/visitation.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Per statute, following a determination of paternity,

The court shall order the father to pay at least fifty percent (50%) of the reasonable and necessary expenses of the mother's pregnancy and childbirth, including the cost of:

(1) prenatal care;

(2) delivery;

(3) hospitalization; and

(4) postnatal care.

[Dogmatique]

Upon the determination of paternity, sure. (And we all know what that means....)

But, as a practical matter, the courts in Indiana do deviate from time to time when it's not actually Mom who is paying for everything. Many grandparents have been screwed in this manner.

The statute is useful nonetheless.

[aardvarc]

And with the typical earnings of your average 19 year old (especially one who sleeps with 16 year olds, implying that he's not a rocket scientist), that order to pay shouldn't be counted on to provide much (depending on what's left over of dad's earnings after child support).

[luca]

My daughter and I are planning of giving the baby up for adoption. If I accept $ from the father while pregnant, will I be forced to get his consent? If I dont accept $ can I adopt without consent?

[cbg]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if the father is known, his consent is needed for adoption regardless.

[aardvarc]

That is my understanding as well. The father gets a fair shot at taking custody of his child.

[jk]

My daughter and I are planning of giving the baby up for adoption. If I accept $ from the father while pregnant, will I be forced to get his consent? If I dont accept $ can I adopt without consent?

You are not planning on giving up anything as you have no legal claim to the child regardless what happens.

YOU have no right to demand anything from the father of the child. The mother does, after the child is born and paternity established. YOU will not be forced to get his consent for anything. The mother will though. YOU have no control over the adoption of the child but the mother of the child does.

[Disagreeable]

You need to remember, this is not about you. This not about your daughter. this is about a baby you are trying to take away from its father. You have the right to discard it. Your daughter has the right to discard it. He gets a chance also.