GUILTY TX - Jacob West for kidnap, sexual abuse of 14yo girl, Houston, 2013

[Wolf Dreamer]

I'm hoping that this will be like Megan Stammers case here when she took off to France with her teacher - while it was distressing it did end with Megan safely returned to her family.

 

[Lois Lane]

Amber Alert has been extended to the Coastal Bend.

This article says that Haylie lived with her grandmother who has custody of her. This family is confusing. Also, information here that West likes to camp in Corpus Christi


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50590582/ns/local_news-corpus_christi_tx/

Also in the article:

It says that West is the next-door neighbor of the grandmother.

West has family in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area.

 

[TxLady2]

IMO, hearing her family call her a baby is the last thing this girl needs.

Agree, she's not a baby, nor is she a child. But she is not acting like an adult, that's for sure. She wants to think she's old enough to know her own mind, but she isn't because she's a teenager, with neither the maturity nor the wisdom or experience of someone older.

 

[Amster]

Oh my gosh...:what:

Can any WSer give me a valid reason why this perp is not in jail NOW.. From the Jan.15th kidnapping?

Ohhhhh... Maybe the family was not yet aware of his ulterior motives at the time of Jan. 15th.....And provided approval of an outing involving these two?

Just thinking out loud...

:dunno:

I thought about that....but, if the family thought it was innocent, why did deputies go find them? What a mess!!

 

[Amster]

Also in the article:

It says that West is the next-door neighbor of the grandmother.

West has family in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area.

Lovely....grandma says H was known to sneak out her bedroom window to visit the perp. Why hasn't LE or some BIG male family member put the fear of God in this child snatcher?? :furious:

 

[No Stone Unturned]

I wonder how they know there is or was a sexual relationship?

This is speculation- but if H is pregnant then they would know.
Edited to amend- you guys were way ahead of me on this... should have read to end of the thread before posting.

 

[lonetraveler]

http://www.khou.com/home/187955651.html

http://media.khou.com/images/470*261/Haylie.jpg

http://www.khou.com/home/187955651.html

Authorities say West ignored the family’s requests and continued to pursue the teen girl. Tuesday afternoon she was taking a walk with family and jumped into his car.
“She hopped in the guy’s truck and took off,” said Nixon. “I think he is manipulating her


It looks to me like she willingly jumped into his truck and ran away with him. Reminds me of the Brittany Smith case except. fortunately, no murder was committed prior to the older man and girl leaving.

This man was determined to leave with this young girl. Hope she is found and brought home safely.

 

[Coldpizza]

do camping sites usually have on site security guards?

Really depends on the site. National Park yes, they would have Park Rangers that would be trained to a certain extent and they would receive alerts I would think as far as Bolo's are concerned as they are State or National Parks.

There are many campgrounds that are rural where there is a "camp host" and I doubt many pay attention to who is camping as long as they pay. Then you have campgrounds that are simply a place by a river where you can drive up to, where there is a sign that would read "pack out what you pack in" and no one monitors these places on a daily basis. Trash men will come in once a week and maybe a Ranger here and there but one can go un noticed for weeks in many campgrounds Imo

 

[IHAVENOCLUE]

Amber Alert has been extended to the Coastal Bend.

This article says that H lived with her grandmother who has custody of her. This family is confusing. Also, information here that West likes to camp in Corpus Christi


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50590582/ns/local_news-corpus_christi_tx/

That is new to me, too!

How long has the grandma had custody...since last week... Or for some time, now?

:dunno:

 

[IHAVENOCLUE]

I thought about that....but, if the family thought it was innocent, why did deputies go find them? What a mess!!

I am still trying to think this through...

Maybe it was approved until the two didn't come home on time... And then they had to call LE... And this was when they found out the extent of their relationship...

JMO

 

[Dixie811]

I guess they both ditched their phones? They have managed to stay hidden longer than I originally expected. I dread thinking about them possibly making it into Mexico.

Although it seems unlikely, I wonder if it is possible that his wife has any knowledge of their whereabouts or had any knowledge of this plan. It seems strange that someone's wife would "go along" with such a plan or cover for them in this situation... but I think of the wife of Elisabeth Smart's kidnapper. Eh, probably not the best example.

What about one of Haylie's friends? Could she have told one of her friends about a plan to run away with West and where they might go? Another girl that age may also be immature enough to think this relationship is okay.. & even be willing to keep this information a secret despite the LE search currently happening.

 

[tlcya]

If she ditched her cell phone and they are on the run, I think the "romance" of the situation will wear off pretty soon for her.

14 year old girls with cell phones tend to enjoy texting, talking and socializing with their girlfriends.

Being on the run means she is isolated, with only West to talk to, be around, like they are on an island.

I only hope when the romance fades for her and she has second thoughts that he doesn't snap.

 

[AnonymousD]

That is new to me, too!

How long has the grandma had custody...since last week... Or for some time, now?

:dunno:

I'm confused, too.

All the different versions I recall:

*Haylie lived with her mom.
*Haylie moved out of mom's house into her uncle's house b/c mom lived next door to JW. Trying to keep Haylie & JW separated.
*People warned the family about the relationship between Haylie & JW, but the family felt JW was treating Haylie just like he would his own daughters.
*Haylie lived with grandma & grandma had custody.
*Haylie snuck out of the window(s) at grandma's house to see JW.
*Haylie & JW "ran off" together on 1/15/13 but a law enforcement officer found them shortly thereafter.

 

[Considering]

http://www.kens5.com/news/Amber-Ale...y-took-14-year-old-Texas-girl--188417381.html

Haylie's grandmother says she asked West about a relationship between the two:

“I said ‘you’re too old for her…Is there anything going on?’ And he says, ‘no ma’am,'" said Carol Levy, White’s grandmother. “He says ‘I feel like a father to her.’ I can't go climbing out the windows when she climbs out the window to go see Jacob and I think Jacob should know this.”

:what:

I don't know what to say.... Actually, I do, but I can't. :banghead:

 

[shefner]

I keep hoping I am going to check in and see that Haylie has been found! As far as her family calling her a "baby," thats the way you see your kids. After all, she is 14. In the world her grandmother grew up in, that was the age for sleepovers and playing records and learning to sew and cook. Of course things have changed a lot in this generation and girls look older than that truly are. But I agree with the family....Haylie is very young and especially so in understanding how these actions will affect her for the rest of her life.

I don't care if Haylie begged and pleaded, this man should not have taken her or encouraged a sexual interest. In truth, I think he is the one that is preying on her innocence and her teenaged desire to look and be older. Basically, we are dealing with a predator. And it would do well if he could be found and prosecuted to the full extent.

 

[Tugela]

Could they charge him with much more than contributing to the delinquency of a minor though?

 

[tlcya]

I would think statutory rape would apply but I am not familiar with the law in that area. Certainly more than contributing. Possibly custodial interferrence as well, not kidnapping I don't think because she went willingly.

 

[ImWithTheBand]

I would think statutory rape would apply but I am not familiar with the law in that area. Certainly more than contributing. Possibly custodial interferrence as well, not kidnapping I don't think because she went willingly.

Had to look it up, cause I wasn't sure of the exact definition:
The term "statutory rape" generally refers to sex between an adult and a sexually mature minor past the age of puberty. Sexual relations with a prepubescent child, generically called "child molestation", is typically treated as a more serious crime.

Texas

§ 22. 011

Sexual assault for anyone to intentionally or knowingly penetrate a person under age 17, other than his spouse. The actor has an affirmative defense if he is not more than three years older than the victim, who is at least age 14

Two to 20 years in prison

 

[hollyblue]

It would also be kidnapping because she is a minor without the consent of her parents/guarding, etc. Doesn't matter if went willingly or not. This guy is in big trouble. IMO

 

[Tugela]

Statutory rape, they would have to prove that sex actually happened. That might not be so easy, particularly if she does not cooperate.

Kidnapping, maybe not, since she was actively participating. I think it would require something more than just lack of permission.

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is for sure however, people are charged with that if they help minors take off.