Teen sent to DYS for rape

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This is insane in my opinion! Kids do this!

04/23/2007

NEWARK — While an independent psychological evaluation concluded a 13-year-old who raped a 4-year-old girl is amenable to rehabilitation in the community, a magistrate placed him with the Department of Youth Services for at least a year.

The teenage boy was adjudicated delinquent of felony rape and gross sexual imposition by Magistrate Christopher Strefelt in November. Since then, the boy has spent more than 40 days in the multi-county juvenile detention facility.

The teen was found guilty in Licking County Juvenile Court of the first- and third-degree felonies involving incidents with a 4-year-old girl that occurred between June 21 and July 15.

But before sentencing him, Strefelt ordered the boy to undergo a sex offender assessment. The teen’s family also paid for an independent evaluation to explore alternate placement to Ohio Department of Youth Services.

After Columbus psychologist William Friday testified his evaluation concluded the teen could most likely be rehabilitated in the community, Strefelt sentenced the teen to a minimum of one year of incarceration on the rape count and a six-month minimum term on the gross sexual imposition charge.

The evaluation completed by Friday included three sessions with the teen and interviews with numerous adults who have contact with him.

“I believe he is able to be treated within the community,” Friday testified. “He’s reasonably safe in the community, and I’m reasonably sure he wouldn’t re-offend.”

He said the 27 primary issues for someone convicted of sexual abuse were evaluated and the teen didn’t show signs of re-offending.

Eric Yavitch, the boy’s attorney, also argued the teen would pose minimum risks if counseled in the community.

Even though Strefelt found the teen guilty, he has not yet admitted his actions.

The mother of the victim said she just wants the teen to admit what he did and get help.

The teen is appealing Strefelt’s findings. He did not speak on his own behalf before being sentenced.

The teen was ordered not to have contact with the victim or her family.

Judge Robert Hoover said previously this type of mental evaluation is ordered in almost all of the juvenile cases involving sex offenses.