Woman who raped boy gets 6-year term

4/28/2007

Saying that she was appalled by the circumstances that led to a Toledo woman's having sex with a 12-year-old boy, Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Stacy Cook yesterday sentenced Renata Carter to six years in prison.

Carter, 26, the mother of two children, last month pleaded guilty to a felony rape charge before the third day of her jury trial was set to begin.

Yesterday, Judge Cook referred to witness testimony that in December, 2005, Carter was at a home with several children and adults around Christmas time when she inappropriately wrestled and played games with the children before she eventually twice had sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old victim.

"This child deserved more time to be innocent," the judge said before sentencing. "The bottom line is that he was a child and he could not consent to this act."

With a placid face, Carter apologized to the victim's family and to the court. Her attorney, Mark Berling, said she was medicated yesterday, adding to her lack of emotion.

The victim's mother expressed relief after the sentencing, adding that she doesn't believe her son understands the implications of what happened.

His grandmother spoke to the judge before sentencing, saying that what Carter took from her grandson can never be replaced.

The Blade does not identify victims of sexual assault.

"At least she admitted to what she had done," the victim's grandmother said after the sentencing hearing. "I do hope that she could get the kind of help she needs."

Rob Miller, a county assistant prosecutor, said he felt the sentence was appropriate. She faced a maximum of 10 years in prison.

"Based on the facts and circumstances presented in this matter, we are satisfied with the sentence of the judge," he said.

Mr. Berling said the sentence fell within what he expected.

His client had at one point been offered a plea agreement that would have lowered the sentence guidelines to between two and eight years but declined the offer in lieu of going to trial.

The day after the victim and several witnesses testified, and a taped confession from her was shown to the jury, Carter pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony.