A Texas jury has found a mother, Cherry Payton, 43, guilty of permitting her 13-year-old daughter to be sexually abused by the girl’s 47-year-old “husband,” according to officials.
According to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, the mother stated that the “marriage” involving her daughter and the man “was a normal part of her religious beliefs” and that she agreed to it. However, according to Texas law, the girl was too young to be a part of a legal marriage, Star Telegram reported.
The child and man’s sham marriage carried on for over a year before officials discovered it in 2017, when the child divulged details about it during a doctor’s visit.
According to prosecutors, the 13-year-old stated during her 2017 visit that she was “sexually active with her husband.” During the appointment, her mom was there.
During the court hearings, prosecutors stated that the 47-year-old guy was NOT the only one who sexually abused the young girl. Prosecutors in Fort Bend County stated the girl’s mother had allegedly sexually abused her years before “under the guise of a different religion.”
On April 29, a jury found the mother guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a young child and sentenced her to 30 years behind bars.
“I take solace in this jury’s verdict, because it says that there’s a consequence awaiting mothers who fail to protect as profoundly as (the defendant) did,” said lead prosecutor Charann Thompson.
Youngster Protective Services caseworkers assisted the child during the investigation and prosecution, according to prosecutor Jessica Ramos. A new mother has adopted the child.
“I applaud this child for her strength and resilience as she continues to recover from the crimes committed against her,” Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton said. “I pray that she is successful in all of her future endeavors.”
