This is probably the most horrific story of the week: A woman was arrested Wednesday after police said she sexually assaulted a 6-month-old girl, which left the baby with a sexually transmitted disease. More after the jump!
(WSBT)
Police said Ashley Stapert, 21, admitted she and her former boyfriend assaulted her friend’s daughter. According to the probable cause affidavit, Stapert told police she fondled and performed a sexual act on the baby.
“Any time children in our community are hurt or injured, especially a small baby, we feel like we have to be the voice for that victim, have to speak up because they can’t speak,” said Judi Calhoun, Delaware County Chief Deputy Prosecutor.
The probable cause stated the baby’s mother allowed Stapert and Stapert’s boyfriend at the time to stay with her because she believed they were homeless. The mother said she knew the couple and allowed them to babysit her baby.
The baby’s mother told police she learned of the alleged molestation after Stapert and her boyfriend told others about the incident.
“When you do things that inflict pain on others, that child may be scarred for life, and there’s no call for that under any circumstances,” said Michael Boyd, the victim’s neighbor.
Boyd said he is sickened by the crime.
The baby was brought to Riley Hospital for Children to be evaluated. A medical exam revealed the baby had contracted genital warts.
Stapert is preliminarily charged with child molest, a Class A felony and criminal deviate conduct, a Class C felony. She is being held in the Delaware County jail without bond.
The other suspect in the case is being sought by authorities.
