Mariah Yeater’s Lawyer Says ‘Statutory Rape’ Issue has no Bearing on Duties to Provide Child Support
The 20-year-old California woman, who recently claimed that the 17-year-old teen sensation impregnated her during a Staples Center tryst, may put her into hot water with the law.
Mariah Yeater's alleged claim that Justin Bieber fathered her 3-month-old baby boy could lead to investigation by Los Angeles police. The alleged hookup could also put her in legal trouble for 'statutory rape' if all the charges she claims proved to be true.
Bieber was 16-year-old - a minor under California law - when he and Yeater, then 19-year-old, allegedly had sex in an arena bathroom after his concert in LA, 13 month ago.
According to California law, it's not legal for an adult to have sex with anyone under 18. As per the law, any person who is engaged in the unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, who is not more than three years older or younger than the offender, is guilty of a misdemeanor.' And in Yeater's case if the claim proves to be true, then it will trigger a crime that is punishable by up to a year in jail.
Yeater has filed a paternity lawsuit against the teen pop star in San Diego Superior Court, asking Bieber to take a paternity test to confirm scientifically that he is the father of her 3-month-old baby boy and has also asked Bieber to provide adequate financial support for her baby.
But as of now no complaint has been filed about the possible statutory rape.
Los Angeles police Cmdr. Andrew Smith told the Associated Press that the department could launch an investigation. If it's brought to our attention, of course we'll look into it, Smith said.
However, Yeater's lawyer Matthew Pare said, The issue of statutory rape, even if she's guilty, hypothetically, that has no bearing on the duties to provide child support. It's a totally separate issue.
The most important thing for our client is letting her baby know who his father is, he added.
According to Yeater, they both had sex 13 months ago and Bieber told her that it was his first time and he was embarrassed it lasted only 30 seconds.
I asked him to put on a condom for protection but he insisted he did not want to. He said because it was his first time he wanted to feel everything, Herald Sun reported, quoting Yeater.
She gave birth to a boy, Tristyn Anthony Markhouse Yeater, July 6. She added that Bieber was the father of the baby because at that time she had sex with Bieber only.
Yeater has now asked a judge for child support and a paternity test and a hearing for the same are scheduled for Dec 15.
However, Bieber's spokesman, Matthew Hiltzik, denied the reports by saying it malicious, defamatory and demonstrably false.
We will vigorously pursue all available legal remedies to defend and protect Justin against these allegations, Hiltzik said in a statement.
Hiltzik said that they would take all possible steps to protect their client from such false accusations.
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