Trial slated in woman's teen sex case

Dawn M. Fisher leaves Lucas County Common Pleas Court after her arraignment.

A 33-year-old woman accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage boy who authorities said is the biological father of her daughter will go on trial in September.

Dawn M. Fisher, who recently moved to the Swanton area, was arraigned yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. She is charged with one count of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Attorney Terry Lodge entered a not-guilty plea on Ms. Fisher's behalf during the arraignment on the felony offense. Judge James Bates scheduled a trial for Sept. 5.

She was released on her own recognizance and ordered not to have any contact with the 15-year-old boy.

Prosecutors said DNA of the woman's 7-month-old daughter genetically matched the DNA of the teenager. Authorities obtained a court order in April to obtain DNA evidence from the baby to test for paternity.

Lucas County deputies began an investigation after the boy's parents became concerned about their son spending time at the defendant's home at the time in Springfield Township.

When confronted about the relationship, the boy initially denied to investigators that he had sex with the woman. But he later confessed after another juvenile told authorities he witnessed sexual conduct between the boy and Ms. Fisher.

According to court affidavits, the boy disclosed to authorities that he had sexual intercourse with Ms. Fisher on "numerous occasions" in her home when he was 14 and he believed he was the father of the girl.

If convicted, Ms. Fisher faces a possible sentence of five years in prison.