Sex Crimes, Sex Offenders Underage Long Distance "Relationship"

[Nubmer]

I hope this is a suitable location for this, I really couldn't find anything I thought matched this question.

If the parents of a 14 or 15 year old found a large amount of calls to and from a 19 year old many states away. Is there anything illegal about that? Would the parents have legal authority to investigate further? If there was indeed a long distance relationship, would there be anything illegal about that? And again, would the parents have legal authority to investigate further?

I say long distance relationship, but I should really clarify that as a very close friendship. I'm friends with one of them and they both suffer from clinical depression (they met on a teen help forum) and the 19 year old is almost like a counselor friend to her (and vise versa).. although, it has come to the point where they say they love each other and I'm sure it could easily be seen as them dating.

So, obviously the parents could forbid her from talking on the phone to him. But could they also legally pursue the 19 year old? (I'm being vague with that question 'cause I really don't even know if it's illegal or what they could do)

 

[CdwJava]

If the parents of a 14 or 15 year old found a large amount of calls to and from a 19 year old many states away. Is there anything illegal about that?

Not unless the 19 year old is sending some porn or somehow encouraging the minor child to runaway or be involved in some other illicit behavior. Calling someone is not a crime.

Would the parents have legal authority to investigate further?

Sure. the parents are free to ask their minor child whatever they want about the situation, seize the child's phone, cancel the service, look up the phone records for the child's phone, etc.

If there was indeed a long distance relationship, would there be anything illegal about that? And again, would the parents have legal authority to investigate further?

In general, no ... and yes ... but, that investigation would not include the police, subpoenas, etc. unless a crime had been alleged. Having a long distance friendship is not a crime absent some other unlawful behavior.

If it were MY child, the phone would be gone if i thought the relationship was inappropriate.

- Carl

 

[jacksgal]

Legally you can take the phone and forbid further contact. Thats it! You can also check texyts, emails etc for what it is they are discussing. If anything remotely sexual yes a crime has likely been committed. Is the onwer/operators of webiste aware it was used for a freindship? Is that ok? bottom line if your not ok with it then its off limits. Take the phone and forbid the contact if your uncomfortable with it

 

[Nubmer]

Well it's definitely not sexual (that I know of) so that's a relief that it's not necessarily illegal.

As far as I know, neither parents know of the other.

Jack, I'm neither of their parents. I'm friends with one of them and I vaguely know the other online.

Java, you mentioned it being illegal if he's "encouraging the minor child to runaway".

He has said he wouldn't mind meeting her but only after she's finished high school (which by then she wouldn't be a minor). Would that be illegal (both in acknowledging it now and doing it then)?

 

[sunshine77]

Legally I dont think a crime was comited however morally I think that that 19 year old wether clinicly deppressed or not should try and find a friend that is a grown up grown men prey on young girls because it is easy everything may seem inisint now but she is a child possibly reaching out and he a grown up he needs to think about who she will reach to next will he be 20 30 40 will they just be nice guys we have limits as grown ups for reason your friend needs to stop talking to her completely and grow up himself

sorry but i have a young daughter and would pursue him fully if it ment knocking on his door