ANDERSON — An Anderson woman who worked at a Boone County children’s home pleaded guilty Monday to sexual misconduct with a minor for having sex with a female teen runaway from the facility.
Stephanie M. Rogers, 36, pleaded guilty to the Class B felony, and faces up to seven years in prison when she is sentenced in November. According to an agreement with prosecutors, any prison time will be capped at seven years, but Madison Superior Court 1 Judge Dennis Carroll can give her a sentence of up to 20 years. The felony carries a sentencing range of six to 20 years.
“I just think it’s best for all parties,” Rogers’ attorney, John Reeder of Anderson, said of the agreement.
Rogers declined comment through her attorney.
Deputy Prosecutor Rudolph Pyle III said he will seek a 15-year sentence, with seven years served behind bars and the reminder suspended and on probation.
“Anyone that is in a position of trust like that has to know a portion of their sentence will be served with the (Indiana) Department of Correction,” Pyle said.
According to court records:
Rogers had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl during a span of several days in January. Investigators allege Rogers was an employee at Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon when she first met the girl. The teen was living there because she could not get along with her mother.
Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home is a residential and outpatient treatment facility for youth with emotional and behavioral problems. Rogers’ job at the home wasn’t listed in the court papers, but Pyle said she was in a position of authority at the facility. She was fired when the allegations surfaced.
Rogers allegedly gave the girl a ride to her Anderson home when she ran away on Jan. 6. The teen’s mother contacted Lebanon police and told them the girl spent a lot of time on the Internet before going to the children’s home. The investigation eventually led them to Rogers because Rogers and the teen communicated several times via MySpace postings.
Rogers initially denied helping the girl run away, but ultimately admitted to helping her and then letting her stay at her residence for several days. She denied having a sexual relationship with the teen, but the girl said they had sex several times at Rogers’ home.
Anderson police found the girl at Rogers’ home on Jan. 10. The girl told investigators she and Rogers became friends because they are lesbians. The teen said Rogers felt sorry for her because the girl felt discriminated against at the children’s home because of her sexual orientation.
What’s next?
Madison Superior Court 1 Judge Dennis Carroll will sentence Stephanie Rogers at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14. She faces up to seven years in prison. Rogers pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a minor on Monday.
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1:17 a.m.: Former children’s home worker pleads guilty to sex charges
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