Suspect, 15, agrees to plea in rape of Southview student

Youth agrees to testify against 17-year-old co-defendant

The bathrooms at Olander Park in Sylvania, where a rape is reported to have occurred.

A 15-year-old rape suspect entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors today and will be sent to the Youth Treatment Center.

The teen was found delinquent of rape after agreeing today to the plea agreement. The teen was scheduled to go to trial today.

Authorities have to do an assessment first to make sure he will be a good fit for the program, said Lori Olender, assistant Lucas County prosecutor who oversees the juvenile division. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 27.

As part of the agreement, the state will not recommend that the teen register as a sex offender. If he does not successfully complete a six-month stay at the Youth Treatment Center with after care, and a sex-offender treatment program, he could be sent to the Department of Youth Services, Ms. Olender said. The teen also agreed to testify, if necessary, against his 17-year-old co-defendant.

The two suspects, students at Southview High School, are accused of raping a 15-year-old girl, also a Southview student, in a bathroom stall at Olander Park in September.

The 17-year-old suspect is scheduled to appear in juvenile court Nov. 20.

Ms. Olender said the victim's parents agreed to the plea.

"We're trying to keep the victim from testifying and reliving ... probably the worst thing that's probably ever happened to her in her life," Ms. Olender said.

Ronnie Wingate, a lawyer who represented the 15-year-old suspect, declined to comment.