QCOSTARICA – At only 13 years of age, a minor in San Carlos became pregnant after being raped by her stepfather, who abused the girl since she was 9 years old.
Jose Rafael Rodriquez Berrocal, 41, will now spend the next 42 years in prison. The Criminal Court in San Carlos sentencedd the man to 48 years, but was reduced due to the rules of procedures.
The three judge panel made up of Marco Vinicio Lizano, Maribeth Mora and Blanca Gamboa gave credibility to the story of the victim, supported by the results of a paternity test.
For years, starting when she was only 9 years old, the girl had been sexually molested by her stepfather, excalating leading to rape when she was 12 and began menstruating. According to court records the attacks occurred between 2004 and 2008.
The victim, whose identity has not been released to the press, denounced the nightmare two years ago when she became of age.
The court heard testimony that some of the attacks occurred in the family home and Rodriguez’s place of work, where he worked as a tourist guide.
The press office of the Poder Judicial reports that sentenced was broken down as follows: four years for sexual abuse, 38 years for three rapes and dissemination of pornography and six years for having sex with a minor.
This is a lot more common than most people know. The country needs to make people know how serious a problem it is AND what the consequences will be. Sentences are usually light and a simple sentence like ” pedophiles generally don’t last long in prison” will make people realize that pedophiles are the lowest of the low and even hardened criminals hate them.
And the mother?
It’s rare that the mother hasn’t known what’s been going on since it started, and frankly not unusual for the mother to have been an accomplice.
Not saying this mother bears any responsibility at all, or excusing the stepfather, but the absence of the mothers in these cases gives pause.