Iowa Woman Gets Prison for Sex with Boy

(Indianola, Iowa) In September 2008, a 37-year-old divorced, mother-of-three, Shannon Michelle Rew, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. The boy reportedly dated Rew's 16-year-old daughter for six months before mom started dating him.

Rew was initially charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse plus allowing pornographic material to be viewed by a minor. Rew was booked and released on bond.

While awaiting further proceedings, Rew rekindled the relationship with the boy and, in October, she was arrested again. Consequently, new charges of sex abuse, violation of a no-contact order and obscenity were filed.

Yesterday in Warren County District Court, Rew pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse in accordance with a plea agreement. In exchange, Rew was sentenced to 10 years in prison, lifetime parole, registration as a sex offender and a to-be-determined amount of restitution. Addressing the court during sentencing, Rew sort of apologized.

Rew said she never meant to hurt the 15-year-old boy and his family. She said she was sorry if she caused them pain. But she wasn’t sorry about her relationship with the boy.

“We had a really good time together and I don’t regret that. I just regret that because of what happened, everything that came out of it. I would never have done it if I knew that would be the case...

“It’s crazy, they can be 16 and you don’t get charged with anything. They can be 15 and a half, and you get charged with life parole. Who’s to say this 15-year-old isn’t as mature as an 18-year-old? It’s crazy how it works. But he’s a very mature person... You see people, when they’re older, their husbands are 20 years older. I don’t think, when you care about somebody, that age really matters.”

In summary, Shannon Michelle Rew admitted her guilt and now she will have 10 years behind bars to continue rationalizing that it's okay for a middle-aged woman to have sex with teen boys. Maybe, before she gets out, she'll change her thinking.

For those keeping score, one family is totally demolished, another is grievously wounded and psychological scarring has been liberally distributed within the two families and about the community. For those who believe no harm results when adult women have sex with youngsters, remember the Shannon Rew case.