Lesbian Counselor Gets Prison for Rape of Girl

(Puyallup, Washington) In August 2007, a 39-year-old counselor at Ballou Junior High School, Diane Amanda Hillman, was arrested for raping and molesting a 15-year-old female student. Hillman was charged with third-degree child rape and third-degree child molestation.

Authorities were alerted initially after Hillman and the girl were caught by an officer in her vehicle after midnight in a park. The school was notified of the incident and Hillman was ordered to stay away from the girl.

Later, police were contacted by the girl's mother who expressed concern about text messages her daughter received from Hillman. Subsequently, the daughter revealed details of the sexual relationship to an investigator, saying she was fondled and molested, and Hillman was arrested. According to Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer:

"There are laws in place so that a person in a position of power -- a teacher, a counselor or a jail guard -- will know that the consequences of their behavior will be career-ending, humiliating and that they will be on TV," said Troyer. "But that doesn't stop them."

In February 2008, Hillman was confronted with all the evidence and pleaded guilty to three counts of child rape and one count of child molestation.

Two weeks ago, Diane Amanda Hillman, now 40, appeared before Pierce County Superior Court Judge Lisa Worswick for sentencing. Hillman's victim asked that the maximum sentence be imposed.

Hillman tearfully apologized to her victim, her victim's family and her own family and then requested that she be kept out of prison and, instead, be given extensive sex offender treatment. Hillman's lawyer, Zenon Olbertz, then weighed in, saying that his client suffered from mental health problems and needed treatment instead of prison.

Judge Worswick denied Hillman's request and sentenced her to five years in prison.

Incidentally, this case is the first time that I've heard child molestation results from mental health problems as declared by lawyer Zenon Olbertz. I don't buy it -- at least not unless you could say that bank robbery results from mental health problems. Hillman may have mental problems but I don't think they made her a child rapist.

Tip: Shane