By Breaking Belize News Staff: The parents of a teenage girl who was allowed to live with an adult man while she was still a minor have pleaded guilty to cruelty to a child and are now awaiting sentencing by the High Court.
The mother, 56, and father, 48, whose identities are being withheld due to the sensitive nature of the matter and to protect the victim, entered into a plea agreement with the Crown and were re-arraigned late Monday, December 15, 2025, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, where they pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court heard that the parents admitted to giving their then 14-year-old daughter consent to live separately and apart from them. At that age, the child obtained employment and began living with a 22-year-old man. The parents later gave the man consent to formally date their daughter, after which a sexual relationship developed. As a result of these circumstances, the parents were charged criminally for cruelty to a child.
Following their guilty plea, the parents were granted bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., before Justice Pilgrim.
Earlier afternoon, the court heard mitigation pleas on behalf of both parents. Two character witnesses, both teachers, testified in support of the couple.
The first witness, a teacher from northern Belize with over 32 years of experience, spoke on behalf of the mother. She told the court she had known the mother since childhood and described her as a calm, caring, and hardworking parent who had never previously been in trouble with the law. The witness said the mother expressed deep remorse and was emotionally overwhelmed by the situation, and she pleaded with the court for mercy and leniency.
A second teacher testified on behalf of the father, describing him as a caregiver for his elderly mother and stating that his family depended on him being at home.
Justice Pilgrim deferred sentencing and indicated that, while there are no specific sentencing guidelines for the offence of cruelty to a child, the court will rely on its discretion and guidance from relevant case law, including the Anke Doehm case. The Crown noted that the circumstances differed, as the child in this matter was older, and that a mandatory sentence could be disproportionate.
The parents are represented by Attorney Leslie Hamilton.
The post Parents plead guilty in court after allowing 14-year-old daughter to live with ‘man’ and have relationship with him appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The parents of a teenage girl who was allowed to live with an adult man while she was still a minor have pleaded guilty to cruelty to a child and are now awaiting sentencing by the High Court. The mother, 56, and father, 48, whose identities are being withheld due
The post Parents plead guilty in court after allowing 14-year-old daughter to live with ‘man’ and have relationship with him appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
