http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-850906.mp3
Kansas City, MO – A Jackson County judge ruled in favor of a boy who was allegedly sexually abused by a woman old enough to be his mother and awarded a total of $7.3 million in damages.
It all started when 13-year old Lewis Heacker took a job babysitting for Jessica Wright, who was at the time in her late thirties.
Heacker's attorneys contend he was sexually abused by Wright until he graduated from high school, when he tried to cut off contact. That's when Heacker's attorneys said the cyber stalking started - constant calls and texts by Wright and people she supervised.
Dan Curry is part of Heacker's legal team and thinks the punitive part of the ruling - $five million - is a deterrent to similar crimes.
"It sends a message to society that these behaviors, you cannot engage in these behaviors especially with a kid," Curry said.
Heacker is now in his early twenties, and Curry is legally bound to not comment on the likelihood his client will ever see the full settlement.