Woman Gets 10 Years for Sex with Boy

(Springdale, Arkansas) A 29-year-old Springdale woman, Shannon Hernandez, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Additionally, she must register as a sex offender within 120 days of her release. Hernandez was given credit for 76 days time served in the Washington County Jail.

The punishment in this case seems more appropriate than what is normally meted out to female sexual abusers. Too often, courts impose insultingly lenient sentences on women who molest children.