[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
A Kentucky trans-identified biological male who has been charged with sexually abusing a baby will not face jail time after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
| In Kentucky? Is that wise? |
Maria "Mark" Childers, a transgender daycare worker in Kentucky, had been charged with one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a victim under 12 and three counts of first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12.
On January 29, 2024, Childers struck an agreement with prosecutors which included entering a guilty plea in exchange for his charge of first-degree sexual abuse of a victim under 12 to be amended to sexual misconduct, which is a Class A misdemeanor. The remaining abuse charges were also dropped, according to Reduxx.
Childers, who first began identifying as a woman seven years ago, was represented by prominent trans activist lawyer Madison Leach.
Hang em together
Childers had been sentenced to 12 months in prison, but the judge postponed sentencing in favor of a 6-month conditional discharge. In addition to avoiding incarceration, the defendant may be able to clear his criminal record if he adheres to the conditions of the conditional discharge, per the outlet.
Childers was arrested in February 2023 after the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) received an anonymous tip that had accused Childers of inappropriately touching a baby while changing the baby's diaper, and also making inappropriate comments to the infant during the act. The abuse occurred in November of 2022 at Explore Learning Academy.
Childers was accused of both sexual and physical abuse while employed at the daycare, according to court documents.
On February 8, 2022, a DCBS case worker and a police officer from the Paducah Police Department went to interview witnesses and the daycare who authorities say corroborated the tipster's claims. The tipster was revealed in court documents to be one of Childer's co-workers.
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