Georgia Woman Arrested After Marrying Teen
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 37-year-old woman has been charged with child molestation for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy whom she married last week.
The Gainesville Times quoted unidentified members of the boy's family as saying that Lisa Lynnette Clark is pregnant with the boy's child and that they were married Tuesday.
The boy's grandmother, Judy Hayles, said she received an official notice of the marriage because she is the boy's guardian. She had filed a complaint against Clark on Oct. 6.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Clark was arrested Wednesday and remained in custody Monday. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 30.
District Attorney Lee Darragh said Georgia law on child molestation says that a person under 16 legally cannot consent to a sexual act. Darragh would not comment further on the case.
Hayles said the relationship had been going on for nearly two years. She said her grandson and Clark's teenage son had been close friends and that the grandson spent many weekends at Clark's home.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Now Hayles said she is working to end the marriage.
Probate Court Judge Jennifer Burt said in a statement that she reviewed the marriage application and applied the appropriate provisions under state law before issuing the license. She had no additional comment.
In Georgia, a person must be 18 to marry without parental consent or 16 to marry with parental consent. Georgia law contains an exemption to the age requirements if the couple have a child or the female is pregnant.