A 19-year-old girl facing charges of lewd and lascivious battery in Florida has accepted a plea deal on Friday, according to multiple reports.
Kaitlyn Hunt was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old female when she was 18-years-old at the time, CNN reports. Hunt was arrested in February, but posted $5,000 bail. However, Hunt was arrested and placed in jail on Feb. 16 for violating the conditions of her release for seeing the alleged victim.
According to Reuters, Hunt accepted a plea deal that states she must remain in jail until Dec. 20, followed by three years of felony supervision.
Julia Graves, defense attorney for Hunt, released the following statement:
"Kaitlyn Hunt is accepting the plea deal in her best interest as well as that of her family, the ‘victim’ and the ‘victim’s’ family. It is time to enter a plea given the current state of the law and get back to living a somewhat normal life without fear of the unknown for everyone involved. There is too much risk in trying the case when the State, particularly Mr. Workman has willingly worked with defense counsel to obtain this negotiated plea. Kaitlyn is giving up many rights by entering the plea. Not only does she relinquish her legal rights to a trial and requiring the State to prove their case, but she also gives up the opportunity for her supporters as well as her detractors to see and hear any testimony or evidence.
We are hoping to put the litigation behind. We are concerned about the civil litigation continuing with the attorneys for the ‘victim’s’ family for monetary damages but nothing in a civil suit affects the plea we are accepting or causes any violations. Nonetheless, Kaitlyn is going to move on with her life and follow the conditions of her community control and probation imposed by the Court. The next task upon her release from incarceration is to work with supporters and lawmakers toward a change in the law for teenagers attending the same school, no matter what their sexual orientation is. Together, we intend to be available to help educate the students attending our schools and their parents, as well as the teachers and administration that are unaware of these laws and the severe consequences they can carry. Kaitlyn, her family, friends and supporters never want to see another teenager in this kind of situation. Kaitlyn is particularly grateful to her entire family for their nonstop love and support as well as the many well-wishers and supporters around the globe."
