KINGMAN — Sexual abuse and child molestation charges are dismissed in the case of a Golden Valley woman who entered a plea agreement during an April 28 hearing.
There was no dispute that Lorena Painter, 52, touched a 12-year-old girl in the chest and crotch in November, 2023.
Deputy Mohave County attorney Karolina Czaplinska told Judge Billy Sipe that she initially was not going to make any plea offer, until case assessment determined the incident was not at all sexually motivated.
Czaplinska said the groping was intended as a teaching lesson and warning as the victim was becoming curious about her sexuality. She said the defendant was trying to simulate what it would be like if the girl were to be fondled by a male.
Czaplinska said it was a very poor choice and deeply inappropriate education attempt that might have been well intended, but negatively impacted the girl.
Judge Sipe said Painter was misguided, but is not a child molester. “It is clear that this is not a sexually motivated offense,” Sipe said.
Judge Sipe placed Painter on probation for three years and ordered no further jail time, crediting her with 144 days served in custody.
Dave Hawkins
