Woman, 30, Guilty of Molesting Boy, 8

(Las Cruces, New Mexico) In October 2007, a 30-year-old local woman, Michelle A. Tufts, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with an 8-year-old boy.

The boy's grandmother alerted authorities about suspicions she had regarding Tuft's relationship with the boy and police later determined that the grandmother's suspicions were substantiated. Tufts is a close relative of the boy but the relationship wasn't disclosed to protect the boy's identity.

Tufts was charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child under age of 13 and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Yesterday, Tufts pleaded no contest to attempted criminal sexual penetration and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in accordance with a plea deal. According to court records, Tufts chased after the boy to perform disgusting acts.

Records show that Tufts allegedly told investigators that she had been going through a period of loneliness, wanting somebody to touch, and that at least one of the incidents the boy recounted was true.

Tufts told investigators that as a child she was made to watch as one of her family members was molested by another family member.

Notably, Tufts also has an intentional child abuse conviction involving a different boy on her record.

No sentencing date has been set. Tufts faces a possible 10 and a half years in prison.