Host "Mom" Gets No Jail for Sex with Exchange Student - Updated

(Anderson, Indiana) On June 3rd, 32-year-old foreign exchange student host Tricia D. Mallernee pleaded guilty to child solicitation and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Mallernee's conviction stemmed from jumping the bones of a 17-year-old foreign student within two weeks of his arrival in the U.S.

Yesterday, Mallernee was sentenced by Judge Fredrick Spencer to no jail.

As per the terms of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Fredrick Spencer gave Mallernee a three-year suspended sentence on each of four counts of child solicitation. The judge gave Mallernee a one-year suspended sentence for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor.

Thankfully, at least one substantive measure resulted in this case. Mallernee was ordered to register as a sex offender.

This case is troubling on several levels. First, there's a mere hand slap for having sex with a minor. Second, the perpetrator, Mallernee, was in a position of authority over the exchange student. Third, the whole episode and the lack of meaningful punishment sends a message to foreign student exchange partners that their youths are at risk of being molested by American adults enjoying impunity. Fourth, the Mallernee situation casts doubt on the entire vetting process for foreign exchange student host families.

In summary, a foreign exchange student is molested by an American host adult. And, nobody cared.


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Host "Mom" Accused of Sex with Exchange Student
[Previous 5/7/09 post]
(Anderson, Indiana) A 32-year-old foreign exchange student host mother/guardian, Tricia D. Mallernee, has been accused of engaging in sex with the 17-year-old student she was hosting.

Since Mallernee was acting in the capacity as the boy's guardian, she faces charges of child seduction. She was arrested Tuesday.

According to court documents, Mallernee began having sex with the 17-year-old male foreign exchange student about two weeks after his arrival in early July 2008.

The sexual relationship continued through April. Mallernee and the teen had sex in her home and while on a spring vacation in Florida. On one occasion in April, Mallernee had the boy dismissed from school early and the pair had sex at Mounds State Park, according to court documents.

The teen told investigators he initially wanted to be in the relationship. But later he tried to end it, fearing Mallernee was becoming “emotionally attached and he did not feel the same way.”

Mallernee allegedly threatened to have the boy removed from the home if he ended the relationship, law enforcement officials said.

Mallernee was booked and released on $500 bond.