In a case that sparked the national conversation on abortion rights, Gerson Fuentes, 28, was given a plea agreement that permits him to apply for parole after spending 25 to 30 years. He previously admitted to raping and impregnating the then-9-year-old.
Judge Julie Lynch of the Common Pleas Court stated that the victim’s family begged her to accept the plea deal, which she described as a “very hard pill for this court to swallow.”
The worst penalty would have been a life sentence without the possibility of release. Fuentes, an unauthorized immigrant, will have to register as a sex offender in any case.
Given that he is in the US unlawfully, if he ever receives parole, he would probably be deported back to his native Guatemala, according to authorities.
“Anyone who’s ever been in this courtroom for the last 20 years knows how this court feels about these babies, young people, being violated,” Lynch said. “However, today, by the request of the family, this court will be sentencing without comment.”
The youngster won’t have to testify in court during a trial, which, according to the judge, will prevent her from having to go through the agony of her rape again.
Fuentes impregnated the young girl, who was transported from Ohio to Indiana in order to legally abort the baby.
Dr. Caitlin Bernard, the medical professional who cared for the kid, spoke out against anti-abortion laws like Ohio’s, which forbid abortion at the first indication of a heartbeat, and used the case of her anonymous patient as evidence against the legislation.
Source: @nypost
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