Our 5 year old grandson and another 5 year old boy in the same neighborhood, were sexually molested, repeatedly, by a 9 year old boy that lives across the street. Because of his age, he evidently cannot be charged with a crime (in OH). How can this family be legally "encouraged" to leave the neighborhood, so that the younger children in the area are no longer in danger of being molested again?

Why can't he be charged? I am trying to research the laws for juvenile offenders, and everything states that they can be charged.

I don't think anyone can be legally forced to move.

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Originally Posted by jklgarden

Our 5 year old grandson and another 5 year old boy in the same neighborhood, were sexually molested, repeatedly, by a 9 year old boy that lives across the street. Because of his age, he evidently cannot be charged with a crime (in OH). How can this family be legally "encouraged" to leave the neighborhood, so that the younger children in the area are no longer in danger of being molested again?

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This is odd - I have read through the law and find all sites say, basically: "Criminal cases involving defendants between the ages of 10 and 18 are handled in juvenile court." I find no or very vague info about defendants UNDER the age of 10.

Of course, even if he were charged that would not get him out of the neighborhood.

Has he or is he receiving therapy or anything of that nature?

I see no legal way to force or encourage his family to move.

The offender can be taken into Juv court and punished by that court. That can go from nothing to probation to boot camp or detention.

There is nothing you can do beyond tell the truth of what happened.

Hello j:

Well, you just go on down to the doughnut shoppe, where you'll find your local cops, and tell them to DO THEIR JOB!!

excon

The reason that a 9 year old is probably not being charged with a crime is that it is sometimes hard to tell the difference between "sexual assault" and kids being curious at the younger ages. And also, there is a feeling that young kids can be rehabilitated, and therefore we don't want them winding up on sex offender lists for the rest of their lives. (Say they get treatment, and never do this again, but because of the conviction, they can't go within X feet of a school.) And finally there is the problem that the first sign that you get that some kids have been sexually molested is that they do the same thing to other kids, and if there is a possibility that their kid is going to be charged with the crime, then parents won't report it, which means that the adult predator is free to prey on other kids.

Hello again:

I absolutely agree with froggy.

IF the cops don't want to prosecute for THOSE reasons (and they're GOOD reasons), then that's fine. But, that's not the reason that was given to the victims' family.

So, the cops either need to tell the truth, or stop stuffing their faces with doughnuts.

excon