Valerie Lianne Carlton indicted on sex abuse charges

[Jaded]

A Joppa woman was indicted Tuesday on charges that she sexually abused two girls, ages 5 and 6, over a period of about a year and a half.

According to the Harford County state's attorney's office, 40-year-old Valerie Lianne Carlton sexually abused the two girls from January 2008 through April 2009.

[...]

The parents said Carlton was a neighbor who watched their then 4-year-old daughter on a regular basis.

But back in April, after Carlton was arrested for sexually abusing a now 6-year-old girl, the parents decided to call child protective services, who interviewed their daughter and their worst nightmares were revealed.

"They came back and told us that she had a very strong story, very detailed," the victim's parents said.

Carlton was indicted by the grand jury for Harford County Tuesday morning and now faces 28 counts ranging from sexual child abuse of the two girls to attempted kidnapping and extortion.

The victim's parents said their daughter was sexually abused a number of ways by Carlton.

The said they actually became suspicious before Carlton's arrest when she asked them to help her get a passport so she could flee the country.

"She was different and I wish we've seen something before or knew something before," a parent said.

In the meantime, Carlton remains in jail and the victims are trying to recover.

"The child's got to go through therapy and we just sit back and watch and wait for the court date," a parent said.

One problem here for the prosecution is that in order to have a solid case, they will need the young victims to testify.

The parents said they feel it might be too much for their daughter to handle a cross examination.

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[Nell]

The said they actually became suspicious before Carlton's arrest when she asked them to help her get a passport so she could flee the country.

"She was different and I wish we've seen something before or knew something before," a parent said.

Like weird? Is that what they mean?

One problem here for the prosecution is that in order to have a solid case, they will need the young victims to testify.

The parents said they feel it might be too much for their daughter to handle a cross examination.

Unless she takes a plea then the charges will be dropped. I personally know how hard it is to sit through a rape trial. And it will be tough for this girl. But i hope she does it. She will feel stronger and better after, because she confronted and put away her abuser.

[akika666]

Like weird? Is that what they mean?

that's what i read it as.

Unless she takes a plea then the charges will be dropped. I personally know how hard it is to sit through a rape trial. And it will be tough for this girl. But i hope she does it. She will feel stronger and better after, because she confronted and put away her abuser.

this is a huge problem with sexual assault cases! for the victim, testifying is like a repeat assault. it's tempting to argue that there should be limits on cross examining a child like that, but there have been so many cases of children giving coached testimony in the past.

[nurseronda]

this is a huge problem with sexual assault cases! for the victim, testifying is like a repeat assault. it's tempting to argue that there should be limits on cross examining a child like that, but there have been so many cases of children giving coached testimony in the past.

Too bad they don't do what they have done here, the Judge videotapes his interview with the victim and that stands as testimony from the child under a certain age.

[akika666]

Too bad they don't do what they have done here, the Judge videotapes his interview with the victim and that stands as testimony from the child under a certain age.

i wasn't aware that was actually being done already, that's good info, thanks!

i just looked into it a little, and it seems that it has even withstood at least one appeal (that i have found so far) by a convicted killer. coolio, i learn something new every day from you guys.

[ScribbleMuse]

That IS good that trials are being conducted that way now. I've always felt so frustrated when I hear of trials that are affected by the understandable panic/fear/pain that comes from witnesses when it comes to facing court and testifying against those who have hurt them.

[Rotten Apple]