Woman accused of raping 8-year-old boy

Woman accused of raping 8-year-old boy

December 02, 2009 6:52 AM

A woman allegedly showed an 8-year-old boy pornographic movies while baby-sitting him and then forced him to have sex with her, according to arrest warrants.



Pilar Rocha, 21, allegedly watched multiple movies with the boy. When he went into the bathroom, she allegedly followed him and then they engaged in intercourse, according to a warrant affidavit signed by Gastonia Police Officer E.S. Wiggins.

The incident allegedly took place between Nov. 1, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2007, at the boy’s Gastonia home, according to the arrest warrant. Rocha was 19 and the boy was 8 at the time.

Gastonia Police, with help from the U.S. Marshals Service, found the woman in the Miami-Dade County area and took her into custody Nov. 20. A warrant for her arrest in Gaston County had been taken out March 4, 2009, and authorities brought her back here Tuesday.

“Anytime there’s a child victim, especially one that young, it’s at the top of our priority list that they’re brought to justice,” said Gastonia Police Sgt. Gene Weaver.

Rocha was alone baby sitting the boy at the time of the alleged incident, said Weaver. Most child sex cases involve male perpetrators, which makes this case somewhat different, he said.

“That’s very unusual, but it’s not unheard of,” Weaver said.

The boy has seen mental health counselors, which have helped him, Weaver said. The sex of the accuser does not make a difference.

“A child is a child and any traumatic event like this has a long-lasting affect on them,” Weaver said.

Rocha made a first court appearance Wednesday before District Court Judge John Greenlee, who appointed Rocha a public defender.

Prosecutors asked Greenlee to keep the $200,000 secured bond set by a Gaston County magistrate in place. Rocha, her voice quavering, asked for a reduction.

“I can’t afford the bond,” she said. “I can’t.”

A Spanish interpreter relayed the judge’s words to Rocha, though she indicated she spoke some English.

Greenlee left the $200,000 bond in place, saying it was appropriate given the nature of the charges against Rocha, her criminal history and her status as a Florida resident.

Greenlee did schedule a probable cause and bond hearing for Rocha at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 21.

Police have been looking for Rocha and thought they had her in 2008 when law enforcement in the Miami area charged her with prostitution. However, that case apparently was resolved through deferred prosecution before authorities here could take her into custody.

Rocha faces charges of first-degree rape of a child and disseminating obscene material to a minor less than 13.

http://www.gastongazette.com/news/allegedly-41065-rocha-boy.html

http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=11606370

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Woman-charged-with-raping-8-year-old-boy-78342732.html