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Local News

Saturday, November 14, 2009

'Sexting' cases on the rise
Reineke Family Dealerships - Upper Sandusky
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

Law enforcement agencies report an increase in "sexting" cases among teenagers using cell phones.

"Sexting" is when a person uses a cellular telephone to send, receive or forward nude or semi-nude pictures, images or videos of sexual acts, or sexually explicit messages.

The problem, say northwestern Ohio authorities, is that it is against the law.

"I think a lot of it is the technology is there and the kids don't look at what they are doing as a criminal act," said Findlay Acting Police Chief Greg Horne.

"It is a serious offense and I don't think the kids view it as that. I don't think they understand what the consequences are," Horne said.

Youths can be charged with disseminating material harmful to juveniles, a first-degree misdemeanor, or possession of child pornography and/or distribution, a second-degree felony, Horne said.

If convicted of a felony, a teen could be required to register as a sex offender.

Hancock County Assistant Prosecutor Kristen Johnson said she has prosecuted 10 juveniles on sexting charges in the past year. All have been charged with misdemeanors.

Typically, the convicted youths are referred to the county's diversion program or are placed on probation.

One of the consequences is they cannot use a cell phone for one year, she said.

Fostoria Police Chief John McGuire said his department started receiving sexting complaints over the past few months, with youths as young as 12 years old.

He believes curiosity and boredom are reasons teens do it.

But "what can begin as innocent and playful can turn into a really bad situation quickly," he said.

Putnam County Sheriff James Beutler said many of these crimes are going unreported. He encouraged parents and young people to come forward.

"We feel there is a lack of reporting due to the embarrassment of it," he said. "We can't really measure how big of a problem it is. It's probably bigger than we know."

Typically, high school boyfriends and girlfriends exchange pictures and "they think it is going to stay between them," Johnson said.

But once an argument starts or a break-up happens, the disgruntled person sends these explicit messages to other students and they wind up spreading through their school.

"I'll usually hear from the parent of the kid whose picture it is" and they ask what they can do to stop if from circulating, Johnson said. "But by then it is too late."

Findlay police, the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, prosecutor's office and Family Resource Center have joined forces and have gone to schools to educate students on the consequences of sexting, Johnson said.

"I think once we get the word out to kids that they will stop," Horne said.

Bluffton Police Chief Richard Skilliter said his department saw a spike in cases in the spring from middle school students.

After the department had three sexting complaints filed in one week, Skilliter said a team spoke to Bluffton Middle School students, informing them such actions are against the law and would be prosecuted.

"We didn't have any complaints after that," he said.

All of the officials stressed the importance of parent involvement.

"I would certainly encourage parents to talk to children and explain to them it is wrong and this could be a criminal act," Horne said.

And to teens, "if you receive a photo or video, delete it immediately and do not forward it on," he said.

It's wise, McGuire said, to follow the old adage: "Don't say anything you wouldn't say to your mom or dad."

Johnson advised parents to check their child's cell phone and to require them to charge their phone in a common area to prevent all-night texting.

"If nothing else, they need to be speaking with their kids and counseling their kids about the ramifications of it because it is against the law," Beutler said.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


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14 Comments (2 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
Barry wrote:
Hey ". Wrote " - You da man!!!
“ You got it bubba! You gave your son enough rope and he choked himself. He's young and sex is really fun, I remember those days. My parents set the rules but young girls were calling like vampires in the night with promises of FUNNNNN! It's hard and temptation is a very-very strong magnet. You did the right thing, you removed the ability to perform the act again and coached him on the why's and what for's. Good Job!!! ”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:20:10 PM
Barry wrote:
Laughing Boy
“ Doogie,

You misunderstood. Don't take away the cell phone, just disable the device that allows the taking/receiving of pictures of ANY kind.

Yeah Right on the parenting!!! I remember all the innocent socieity girls who's Mummy and Dah went to every cheerleading camp and every soccer game and they still caught her with the teacher at the reservoir. Come-on, you can't watch everything they do no matter how good you claim to raise your kids. A simple software solution is all thats needed. No blood no foul! As soon as they graduate, they get those privilages re-enacted. And regardless if they are 18, If they are still in high school under your roof the law stands.

Boo Yah Buddy!!!! Peace Out . . . ”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:13:31 PM
Todd wrote:
Stacey
“ You have a responsibility to your daughter to be the parent. I'm so tired of people blaming the police for not dealing with the problems of their children. The police are not here to punish or scare your children. YOU- not the police or the counselor or anyone else needs to be the parent. You say she's gotten away with it twice. This is where you step in. Have you checked out the Parent Project at Family Resource Center? It may be worth your time. We parents do the best we can,but it sounds like you say oh well, she's gonna do what she's gonna do- I can't do anything. YES you can. Good luck. ”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 1:38:49 PM
Trace wrote:
To Stacey
“ Stacey-
I can't offer advice on what type of punishment you can use to change your daughter's behavior. But it also seems like she might be doing these things (at least, the sexting you mentioned) because she feels that boys won't like her unless she does. This seems like a clear sign of a negative self image. Maybe you could find some ways to help her to improve her own image of herself and see that boys can like her for reasons other than the most superficial? Not to sound all "touchy feely", because I do believe that kids should have consequences when they break rules; but it's also important to help them develop a positive self image...as a society in general, we need to take control of what is happening with teenage girls. The media teaches them that being a sex object should be their only goal in life, and it's our job as parents, teachers, etc. to show them that women can be so much more! ”
Monday, November 16, 2009 4:48:01 PM
Stacey wrote:
sexting
“ Sorry Amom, but this is where your wrong. I have punished this child for her doings and she is one of these children no matter what you do with her or to her nothing affects her. She has had everything she had taken from her besides clothing and a bed. She was taken out of public schooling and put in to trecca. Because girls at school would let her use there phones in class. And when all else failed she ran away to a boy living out of town. And he is one she shared pictures with. She is in counceling and has been. But nothing we do helps, she always has away to top what you say or do. So me saying the cops say there was nothing they can do i feel as if the first time she got in trouble by them, maybe she would of thought twice before she did them a second time. ”
Monday, November 16, 2009 12:27:44 PM
Amom wrote:
sexting
“ Stacy it sounds as though you have not punished your daughter but rather you want the police or some other hirearchy to punisher her for you! This makes no sense to expect someone else to punish your child! Take advantage of the role you were given, PARENTHOOD its a job not a luxury you need to be active and proactive. If your child does something wrong, ground her take away her Privileges, but do not expect others to controll your childs behavior for you! ”
Monday, November 16, 2009 9:02:55 AM
. wrote:
kids
“ I blocked picture messaging on my son's phone after I saw/read a picture message he had sent to a friend. Although the girl was fully clothed (showing some cleaveage), he made the poor choice to forward her picture to his buddy and say, "Look at the Ti%s on her?" My son should have known better than to forward it. So, needless to say, he doesn't have the ability to send or receive pictures anymore. ”
Monday, November 16, 2009 8:47:26 AM
Tim from Bowling Green wrote:
Another example of stupid parents...
“ Another example of stupid parents not knowing what their kids are doing.

HINT TO ALL PARENTS: BE A PARENT AND NOT A FRIEND TO YOUR KIDS THAT YOU CANNOT CONTROL. STOP LEAVING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTING UP TO TEACHERS WHO HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO, LIKE TEACH. PROBLEM SOLVED. ”
Monday, November 16, 2009 8:08:49 AM
Cam wrote:
Sexting
“ How can a minor be charged with child pornography? If the person is under the age of 18 then they themselves are children. I don't think you should be sending nude pictures of yourself over your phone but i don't think that it is a crime. Who is getting charged? The people recieving or sending he pictures? Either way "Sexting" is not a crime its kids making dumb decisions which they have been doing since the dawn of time, no need to treat them like criminals, we should treat them as children. ”
Sunday, November 15, 2009 7:11:42 PM
Stacey wrote:
sexting
“ I have a 15yr old daughter that has done this exact thing twice. She was asked by two boys, to see these kinds of pictures. I feel she thinks that if she does not send these types of pictures to these boys then no boys will want her. But the fact that she had did this twice and she knew what could had been done to her at the time she sent them, i feel she should have something done to her. If they don't do nothing to them for doing this now, the kid is heading for alot of trouble as a adult.Problem is both times we called the police there is nothing we can do about this matter. They contact the boy ask them if the pictures are still on there phones and when they say no they drop the matter. My daughter didnt even have her own cell phone she used friends phones to do it. And my daughters second friend was asked not to allow her to use her phone in our home or anywhere when she is with her. But according to the friend she felt sorry for her not having one and allowed her to use the phone. So basically if they going to do this, there gonna find anyway around it if they wanna do it. If it was not using the cell phones to do it, it is gonna be web cams or regular cameras and there computers to do it. So let them be charged for doing it. It might make them think twice. Just in my case my daughter didnt care what the result would be. And she has gotten away with it twice. And i guarantee hasn't learn her lesson yet! ”
Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:59:10 AM
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The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.