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Very Concerned

Pennsylvania

My younger cousin, age 19, is dating a younger guy. At the start of thier relationship he lied and told her he was 19. When the truth finally came out, he was only 16 years old and a month or two shy of his 17 birthday. the story thickens because HIS mother allowed her to move into her home and now she's pregnant. Can there be any charges filed against her? I am worried that his mother intentionally allowed them to date in hopes that she would get pregnant and she can request sole custody of their child. Please give me any information that may help to benefit or warn my younger cousin of what can or cannot happen. Thank You.

At 16 years of age, he meets the statutory age requirement to consent to sexual intercourse under the Pennsylvania statutes 3122.1. Your cousin did not violate the statute if he was 16 or older at the time of their first sexual encounter or at the time the baby was conceived.

It will be extremely important that your cousin educate herself on her own rights and responsibilities as the mother of her child; as well as, the rights and responsibilities of the "Teen" father. Establishing paternity, the Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) etc... Many answers can be found at www.childsupport.state.pa.us [1] direct page links below.

FAQ on Establishing Paternity, Child support, Teen parents, custodial parents, etc... [2]
Teenage Pregnancy & Parenthood in Pennsylvania [3]

ยง 3122.1. Statutory sexual assault.

Except as provided in section 3121 (relating to rape), a
person commits a felony of the second degree when that person
engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant under the age
of 16 years and that person is four or more years older than the
complainant and the complainant and the person are not married
to each other.
(Mar. 31, 1995, 1st Sp.Sess., P.L.985, No.10, eff. 60 days)



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