A 14-year-old girl whose 22-year-old husband is charged with sexually assaulting a minor has given birth to their daughter, and the man said he plans to plead not guilty in the case.
The girl became pregnant when she was 13, and her mother gave permission in May for Matthew Koso to take the girl to Kansas to marry.
Nebraska requires people to be at least 17 before they can marry. But Kansas does not have a minimum age as long as both parents or guardians approve or the marriage is approved by a judge, said a spokesman for Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline.
Nebraska Atty. Gen. Jon Bruning has charged Koso with first-degree sexual assault, punishable by up to 50 years in prison if he is convicted.
"Of course the marriage is valid ... but it doesn't matter," he said. "I'm not going to stand by while a grown man ... has a relationship with a 13-year-old - now 14-year old - girl."
Koso told the Lincoln Journal Star he expected to plead not guilty at his arraignment on Tuesday.
Bruning has said Koso is a friend of the girl's half-brother and began a relationship with her when she was 12.
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ppenix759 (anonymous) says…
In regards to Nebraska prosecuting her husband, what about the parents who allowed their child to sleep with this older man, come across state lines & get married in Kansas. You can not sit back & say they had no idea that their daughter was up to such mischief.
I'm not saying its ok for a 22 year old to sleep & inpregnate a 13 year old girl, but if we are to hold him responsible, I truly believe the parents who gave permission should also be held responsible.
I am a single mom of 3 kids, and I have to give him credit. At least he was willing to marry & take care of this young woman that he is in love with & give their new born daughter a home with 2 parents that will love & support her. Let them be happy.
Our government branches are always trying to control our personal lives, but yet they have trouble dealing with true issues at hand. Like our homeless, our citizens trying to make it in society & losing medical care, day care, and any other assistance they may need to keep off welfare.
mightyquin (anonymous) says…
I agree that the parents should bear some of the blame for allowing this to happen. But what about the state of Kansas. What kind of backwoods - hick state is this to allow someone to marry a child?
bige1030 (anonymous) says…
If Koso is convicted, his wife and child will suffer greatly. Most likely, he would be imprisoned and unable to work to support his new family. Even if he isn't imprisoned, he would be demonized to the point that employment and housing would be difficult for him to attain. Assuming that the family will live together, this will also hurt his wife and child.
Given that the only harm done by this crime has no actual basis in reality (i.e. neither the girl nor her mother is complaining), it would be senseless to convict Koso. Let him work to support his family. It would be better for everyone involved.