Two Amish brothers from Missouri won’t go to jail despite admitting to having sex with and impregnating their 12-year-old sister because prosecutors worried that they would be “eaten alive” behind bars. Aaron Schwartz, 22, and Petie, 18, said they committed the crime at least half a dozen times but now it seems like they’re getting off scot-free.
1. A SUSPICIOUS DOCTOR ALERTED AUTHORITIES.According to the Webster County Citizen, the doctor became concerned when the victim became pregnant at 13. The physician then alerted authorities and told them that the girl had four brothers, two of whom had been having sex with the child. One of the brothers is the baby’s father.
2. THE BROTHERS WERE ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH HEFTY CRIMES.At first, the Schwartz brothers faced charges of six counts of statutory rape and one count of incest. However, those charges were later downgraded to third-degree child molestation, which is only a Class C felony. Working with Webster County Prosecutor Ben Berkstresser, the brothers got a plea deal.
3. THE BEST DATING/RELATIONSHIPS ADVICE ON THE WEB – SPONSORED If you’re reading this, check out Relationship Hero, a site where highly trained relationship coaches get you, get your situation, and help you accomplish what you want. They help you through complicated and difficult love situations like deciphering mixed signals, getting over a breakup, or anything else you’re worried about. You immediately connect with an awesome coach on text or over the phone in minutes. Just click here…
4. THEY WERE SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS BEHIND BARS FOR THEIR CRIME.However, all 15 of those years are suspended for both brothers and neither will spend a day in jail. Berkstresser justified this by insisting that the brothers and their sister had a “different relationship” than if a “parent in a position of authority sexually abused or exploited their child.” He also claimed the brothers were “very immature.” He added, “These two young men would’ve been eaten alive in the state prison system.”
5. APPARENTLY, THE AMISH COMMUNITY HAS PUNISHED THE BROTHERS.According to Berkstresser, the Amish community “made it clear that this punishment was very severe,” but I suppose we’ll just have to take their word for it.
6. THE BROTHERS’ ACTUAL PUNISHMENT BY LAW IS PRETTY WEAK.They’ll have to complete the Missouri Sex Offender Treatment Program as well as 100 hours of community service. They’ll also have to write a letter. “Both young men must write a letter to me, explaining how they are going to protect their children from this happening to them. They have 30 days to get this letter to me,” Berkstresser said. Oh dear, how will they ever cope?!