News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Police Investigate Stillwater Teens for 'Sexting'
Three junior high boys, ages 13 to14, are being investigated for texting each other a partially nude photo of a fellow student.
Representative Anastasia Pittman said the incident, also known as "sexting," could have the boys facing child pornography because of the way Oklahoma's laws are written.
Pittman said she wants to clarify the law by including things like age range so other young offenders won't be charged as adults and haunted for the rest of their lives.By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9
STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- Police are investigating several Stillwater Junior High students in Stillwater accused of texting each other a partially nude photo of a fellow student.
Representative Anastasia Pittman said it's possible that the young teens could be convicted of child pornography for sending a nude photo of a peer because of the way Oklahoma's laws are written. However, Pittman said she thinks it's time for change.
Statistics show 20 percent of teens admit to "sexting" or sending nude photos phone to phone. At Stillwater Junior High, 3 boys, ages 13 to14, are now accused of it.
"In today's society they need to know anything they do like that can stick with them for a lifetime," said Stillwater Police Captain Randy Dickerson.
Representative Anastasia Pittman said right now "sexting" among teens falls into Oklahoma's Indecent Exposure and Child Pornography laws that allow for penalties of jail time and a stint on the sex offender registry.
"The law is too vague. It really needs to be clarified," Pittman said. "It's a blanket. It doesn't give an age range."
Pittman said she wants clarification passed next session given what's happening in other states with our same laws.
"They're prosecuting middle school students, and it's unfortunate," Pittman said.
She said she believes students who "sext" should face consequences, but ones that are tempered with common sense saying the discipline powers need to come from parents not lawmakers.
"Check cell phone, regulate your children, talk to them," Pittman said. "If they're going to use technology be aware of the possible ramifications of it."
But the teens in Stillwater may end up learning their lesson the hard way.
"There could be charges filed, and the decision will be made after the interviews are concluded," Dickerson said.
Representative Pittman held a hearing on "sexting" last week and said she hopes to draft a bill by December.
So far, no Oklahoma teens have been prosecuted as adults for "sexting," but Pittman said the point is she wants to prevent it.
Comments Terms of Use: Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. In addition, by submitting a comment, you recognize that your comment may be read or discussed on one or more television news broadcasts on NEWS 9 and you consent to any such use. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
The sex offender accused of murdering a Spencer woman outside her Midwest City church is facing other accusations too. More>>
A search for a missing Oklahoma City boy has ended after the boy showed up at school, police said. More>>
Several large columns of concrete fell from the expanding parking garage at the Devon Tower construction site. More>>
The possibility of more winter storms could mean more snow days for Oklahoma schools. Now, teachers are worried if students will be prepared for the upcoming standardized tests. More>>
Frequently unemployment is merely reported as a statistic, but the Oklahoma Impact Team is taking a closer look at the people behind the numbers. More>>
The Junior League of Norm is sponsoring the Healthy Smiles exhibit at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on Sunday, February 7 from 1-5 p.m. as part of National Children's Dental Health month. More>>
Oklahoma ranks as the third worst state for women due to high rates of domestic violence, teen pregnancy and incarcerated women. The Oklahoma Women's Coalition is working to change that. More>>
High schools across the state could begin offering an elective course in the study of the Bible under a measure approved by a Senate committee. More>>
