Reply to Susan Roberts's Post: At the time of the incident my son was 13 and my niece was 11. Our family vactioned in Michigan every year since my family (mother, sisters, etc.)reside in Michigan. Myself, husband, daughter, and son resides in Florida. Since they were raised together and always slept in the same bedroom we (parents) weren't aware of the situation. The children took turns sleeping in a trundle bed and sleeping bags.
While Christoper was on the top trundle mattress and Ashley was below on the bottom mattress. While she was sleeping he touched my niece's buttocks, breasts, and put his hand between her legs in the crotch area which is considered an intimate part. They were both fully clothed. Christopher was wearing a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. Ashley was wearing t-shirt, athletic shorts, and panties. This incident occurred in 1996 and again in 1998 when Chris was 16 and Ashley was 13. I spoke to Ashley and asked her if Chris had ever done anything to her that is sexually inappropriate, besides laughing she assured me Chris had never done anything to her--sexual or otherwise. She also said she would give a sworn statement as proof that nothing sexual ever occurred between them
My son has felt tremendous quilt, so much so, that he is planning to turn himself over to the authorities rather than getting charged with a CSC crime in the future. He thinks because he may be charged with CSCI it would ruin his life and his plans to get married and have children.
Christopher is 24 years old. He has never been charged with a crime, not even a parking ticket. He graduated high school from the International Baccalaurate program. He has a B.S. electrical engineer degree and and is currently working at Chrysler as a hybrid fuel cell engineer. Also, he is currently engaged and plans on being married in October 2007. He's never been in any kind of trouble. He wouldn't even drink alcohol until he was 21.
His concerns stem from the fact that the CSC crime laws in Michiga have become much more punitive than in the past and the alleged perpetrators rights have been taken away.