NJ girl, 14, arrested after posting nude pics

[Principessa]

NJ girl, 14, arrested after posting nude pics

TRENTON, N.J. — A 14-year-old New Jersey girl has been accused of child pornography after posting nearly 30 explicit nude pictures of herself on MySpace.com — charges that could force her to register as a sex offender if convicted. The case comes as prosecutors nationwide pursue child pornography cases resulting from kids sending nude photos to one another over cell phones and e-mail. Legal experts, though, could not recall another case of a child porn charge resulting from a teen's posting to a social networking site.

The teen, whose name has not been released because of her age, was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. She was released to her mother's custody. If convicted of the distribution charge, she would be forced to register with the state as a sex offender under Megan's Law, said state Attorney General Anne Milgram. She also could face up to 17 years in jail, though such a stiff sentence is unlikely. Some observers — including the New Jersey mother behind the creation of Megan's Law — are criticizing the trend of prosecuting teens who send racy text messages or post illicit photos of themselves.

This is ridiculous! They need to come up with some sort of law that is the same in every state regarding sexting and posting of nude pics online by people under 18. Obviously we can't stop them from doing this. Sending this young bimbo to jail, fining her (or actually her parents) and tagging her as a sex offender is ludicrous. It doesn't solve the problem.

 

[B_Nick4444]

it would in her case

 

[Bavarian]

But due to her age, they should only be able to charge her as a minor.

Although her life is already ruined, once you're accused of child molestation, for the rest of your live, you're an Accused Child Molester, even if the charges have been froven false. The mere accusation brands you for life.

At this rate, next they'll be charging preteen kids who draw crude boobies on their notebooks in school.

 

[Box_Man]

actually, it might help a bit. it might make some parents pay attention to what their kids do(some, not a lot) and it might make some teens think twice

 

[B_Nick8]

Making parents pay attention by victimizing their children in this manner is not a constructive approach to the problem.

 

[Principessa]

Making parents pay attention by victimizing their children in this manner is not a constructive approach to the problem.

Thank you, this is all I was trying to say.

 

[Box_Man]

the way i look at it is they shouldn't be doing it, and if there are no consequences for it, then it WON'T EVER STOP!

granted, the charges are a bit harsh, but they need to get the message accross too...

 

[D_Ivana Dickenside]

in my opinion there are more important things going on in the world than kids sexting pictures to each other... like, did anyone forget there's a fucking war and people are dying???

what i don't get is why the legal system is so obsessed with prosecuting kids, who make mistakes like these, as registered sex offenders? like njqt said, "it doesn't solve the problem." the girl's life is already ruined and to blow this situation out of proportion over one little screw up is absolutely ridiculous. people need to remember that nobody is perfect. the kid did something stupid, so what? we all do stupid stuff. but for the legal system to take this situation the wrong way and to try to throw her in jail for 17 years as punishment??? puh-lease!!! that's more like a complete waste of tax payer money. like i said before, there are more important things going on in the world than sexting a photo!!!

 

[DGirl]

That is a tough one.."
I mean what if the boys or other girls passed her NUDES around?
The other folks can be in huge trouble checking out a minor. She needs to be charged with something though.

 

[Principessa]

That is a tough one.."
I mean what if the boys or other girls passed her NUDES around?
The other folks can be in huge trouble checking out a minor.
She needs to be charged with something though.

How about youthful stupidity? Cause that is what these cases amount to. For those caught sexting under the age of 18 how about you take away their drivers license for 2 years and if they have yet to obtain their drivers license then delay that for two years as well. I do not believe charging them as sex offenders is appropriate. Nor is it a sufficient deterrent as kids this young have no idea how bad such a lifetime label is.

 

[MarkLondon]

actually, it might help a bit. it might make some parents pay attention to what their kids do(some, not a lot) and it might make some teens think twice

Teens, think twice? LMAO!

They respond only to peer-pressure. And sexting is apparently the latest cool thing.

Though this is different, if she posted them on MySpace. Surely MySpace has rules about explicit pics? Banning her from MySpace would be a more appropriate punishment, and one that other teens would pay more attention to.

You know, this is the same rationale that the taliban use to justify extreme punishments - flogging, amputation and stoning to death. It will stop others doing it. Law and morality enforcement by fear. It's not the best way for a society to go.

It is ridiculous and IMO morally wrong to apply laws designed to protect infants and pre-pubescents from rapacious and predatory adults to a confused teenage girl attempting to establish her identity in today's sexualised western on-line culture.

 

[B_Think_Kink]

I can't believe she might be charged. I mean.. charge someone who took her pictures off the net and used them, but she was just trying to get popular. Poor kid.


Fuck even I had a boobie picture of me at 16 on the net.... when I got my nipple pierced. (Doesn't exist anymore) but.. like I can see where this girl didn't think about what might have happened.

 

[D_Ivana Dickenside]

[/b][/size][/font]How about youthful stupidity? Cause that is what these cases amount to. For those caught sexting under the age of 18 how about you take away their drivers license for 2 years and if they have yet to obtain their drivers license then delay that for two years as well. I do not believe charging them as sex offenders is appropriate. Nor is it a sufficient deterrent as kids this young have no idea how bad such a lifetime label is.

i totally agree with you, nj! she shouldn't get a slap on the wrist and have the case dismissed. she needs to be charged with SOMETHING, but having to register as a sex offender isn't the way she should be punished.

 

[Hippie Hollow Girl]

Take away her computer / and cell phone (whatever she misused) for a certain amount of time and I am sure she will think twice before doing that again. And myspace needs to kick underaged users out if they break their rules.

 

[Incocknito]

This is ridiculous. Am I a sex offender because I sent nude pictures of myself to my girlfriend(s)?

If there is no malicious intent then I don't see how the problem warrants prosecution. A lot of people like to exhibit themselves (just look in the gallery here). What the girl needs to learn is what is appropriate and what is not.

Seems to me like it could be a cry for attention though and probably affected somewhat by bad parenting.

The issue here is Myspace's protocol for dealing with underage users and adult photos. I thought all photos were checked at some point by moderators but I guess not.

 

[SR_Blarney_Frank]

This happened in another state where a minor sent nude pics of herself via text message.

By this asinine logic, a 16 year old caught masturbating could be arrested for child sexual abuse.