Dad shoots 18-year old for having sex with his 16-year-old daughter

[Splashdown]

Dad shoots teen having sex with daughter
Updated: Friday, 16 Oct 2009, 6:05 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 15 Oct 2009, 11:03 PM EDT

APOPKA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - An Apopka man is behind bars after shooting an 18-year-old he caught having sex with his 16-year-old stepdaughter. Wade Edwards, 41, was arrested and charged with second degree attempted murder.

According to an Apopka Police report, officers responded to the Emerson Park subdivision off of Rafton Road shortly before 3 p.m. on Thursday, after two 911 calls were received reporting the shooting.

The second 911 call was placed by Edwards, who told the dispatcher that he had just shot someone inside his house. When officers arrived at the residence, they found victim Juilian Harp in the grass in front of the home.

The stepdaughter told police that the two were having consensual sex when her stepfather entered the room. She said Edwards left to retrieve a gun and shot at Harp as he was leaving. However, Edwards told police that Harp "pounced" at him, and because he did not know Harp, he was afraid and shot at him in self-defense.

Harp's injuries are non life-threatening and he is in stable condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

linky

Sorry. I'm on the dad's side.

[thundley4]

Wasn't there a similar story, but it happened in the middle of the night, a couple of months ago?

[Chris_]

By definition, the girl was being raped.  I'd shoot the young man too.

[Eupher]

By definition, the girl was being raped.  I'd shoot the young man too.

Yup. It's not so "consensual" when she's legally not in a position to make that decision.

The punk is stupid on so many levels he deserved to be shot. Getting a shot of illegal leg is one thing, but to be doing that shit inside the man's house is monumentally stupid.

[JohnnyReb]

Yup. It's not so "consensual" when she's legally not in a position to make that decision.

The punk is stupid on so many levels he deserved to be shot. Getting a shot of illegal leg is one thing, but to be doing that shit inside the man's house is monumentally stupid.

When the little head is doing the thinking.....LOOKOUT.

And the girls don't even have the advantage of having a 'little head'.

[thundley4]

When the little head is doing the thinking.....LOOKOUT.

And the girls don't even have the advantage of having a 'little head'.

What about the "little man in the boat" ?

[bkg]

By definition, the girl was being raped.  I'd shoot the young man too.

what's age of consent?

[jtyangel]

I know where Apopka is. Redneckville(and I'm not saying that in a bad way)! This kid shoulda known any dad there would be packing heat and wouldn't be afraid to shoot at his a$$ if found in a position like this with a man's daughter(step or otherwise). I'm surprised Apopka police even arrested the dad to be honest. This is one of the hazards of 'young love' in a place like Apopka, Florida. 

[Chris_]

what's age of consent?

18 in most areas, and if it was my daugher, 30.

[USA4ME]

OK. So......... what's the crime?

.

[Splashdown]

OK. So......... what's the crime?

.

Bad aim? 

[bkg]

18 in most areas, and if it was my daugher, 30.

IIRC, I'm pretty damned sure it's 16 in MN - and many states. But many states also have an age-difference law. So an 18 year old sleeping with a 16 year old would be legal, a 25 year old w/ a 16 year old would not.

I see no crime other than the father's, frankly. Let's not forget that it takes two to tango.

[Chump]

I don't think the daughter's name is on the deed to the property, so the only people deciding when, where, and with whom sex is occurring on the property would be the mother and father.  I get the impression the boyfriend and father have butted heads before.  Something along the lines of, "if I catch you with my daughter alone in her room again, I swear I'll kill you."

But...if the boy was running away and was unarmed, the father is in a load of trouble.

[Chris_]

IIRC, I'm pretty damned sure it's 16 in MN - and many states. But many states also have an age-difference law. So an 18 year old sleeping with a 16 year old would be legal, a 25 year old w/ a 16 year old would not.

I see no crime other than the father's, frankly. Let's not forget that it takes two to tango.

The age of consent in Florida is 18, although the laws are somewhat vague.

[Thor]

For the record:

Florida

The age of consent in Florida is 18, but close in age exemptions exist. By law, the exception permits a person 23 years of age or younger to engage in legal sexual activity with a minor aged 16 or 17.

794.05 Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors.-- (1) A person 24 years of age or older who engages in sexual activity with a person 16 or 17 years of age commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this section, "sexual activity" means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; however, sexual activity does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose Florida code, Title XLVI, Chapter 794

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#Florida

[Chris_]

I suppose the father should ask for ID before deciding to shoot the kid first...or can he assume his daugher is being raped at the age of 16? 

[docstew]

For the record:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#Florida

Ya barely beat me to it

[bkg]

I'm accusing nobody of any crime, Lug-Nut. I'm just saying that if the law states that 16 is age of consent and the daughter says it's consentual, then no crime was committed - no "rape rape" was committed, so the father was out of line.

I'd much rather see a world where teenager's weren't having sex or making dumb-ass decisions, but when our leaders do, it's hard to expect our teens not to. So if the teen and boyfriend were w/in the law, how can someone cry rape?

[Chris_]

I'm accusing nobody of any crime, Lug-Nut. I'm just saying that if the law states that 16 is age of consent and the daughter says it's consentual, then no crime was committed - no "rape rape" was committed, so the father was out of line.

I'd much rather see a world where teenager's weren't having sex or making dumb-ass decisions, but when our leaders do, it's hard to expect our teens not to. So if the teen and boyfriend were w/in the law, how can someone cry rape?

So you'd be okay with the father being required to check ID before reacting otherwise?

Not me.  I'd think the most violent act possible was being committed against my daughter and act accordingly.

[Chump]

So you'd be okay with the father being required to check ID before reacting otherwise?

Not me.  I'd think the most violent act possible was being committed against my daughter and act accordingly.

You make a good point here.  In reality, the father doesn't even have to claim self-defense.  The guy was in his house having sex (possibly raping, from the father's perspective) with his daughter.  He doesn't need to be armed because he's already crossed the threshold.  It gets sticky if the victim can establish that he was fleeing and oustide of the home when he was shot, but I'm guessing any jury would be sympathetic to the father.

[debk]

Before y'all get in an argument over father's rights....

The girl was really stupid to be having sex in her parents house where she could be caught by her parents.

There is also something in some states that has to do with the age difference between consenting underage parties...it's usually 2-3 years difference.

While technically it could be cited as statutory rape....the girl was consenting...so even if the parents press charges...most juries - if it even got that far, which is doubtful - once they learn the girl was consenting are not going to sentence a boy 2 years older for rape.

I would venture a guess that there are more sexually active 16 year old girls than non-sexually active 16 year old girls. Remember a BJ is not considered sex to most kids.

Finally ....and most importantly....someone said this happened in a "redneck" area in Florida. Did anyone look at the article. There's a picture of the boy. He's black.

Need I say more?


Oh yeah....one other thing...

This was the girl's step-father.....red-neck Florida.....hmmmmm.......

[IassaFTots]

I appreciate all y'all's opinion here, but I have a question for you.  Now, before I ask, I will say I do not condone the behavior of either the 16 year old, or the 18 year old.  But, well, did any of you engage in any uh, well, sexual relations by 18 or before?  And, well, if you did, did you maybe, perhaps engage in said relations with someone that might be a grade behind you in school?  Of course, I don't need to ask if you engaged in any such behavior in a young woman's house, because, well, we know how that would end up.  Just asking.  

[bkg]

So you'd be okay with the father being required to check ID before reacting otherwise?

Not me.  I'd think the most violent act possible was being committed against my daughter and act accordingly.

I don't have kids, so I'm not nearly as close to this issue as many of you are to this, so please excuse my insensitivity.

But if your 16 year old is having sex w/ her boyfriend and tells you it's consentual, as you going to assume it's rape?

[Chris_]

I don't have kids, so I'm not nearly as close to this issue as many of you are to this, so please excuse my insensitivity.

But if your 16 year old is having sex w/ her boyfriend and tells you it's consentual, as you going to assume it's rape?

Ah, Dad's supposed to ask first?...then confirm his identity and age?

[jtyangel]

I'm accusing nobody of any crime, Lug-Nut. I'm just saying that if the law states that 16 is age of consent and the daughter says it's consentual, then no crime was committed - no "rape rape" was committed, so the father was out of line.

I'd much rather see a world where teenager's weren't having sex or making dumb-ass decisions, but when our leaders do, it's hard to expect our teens not to. So if the teen and boyfriend were w/in the law, how can someone cry rape?

Umm, the guy was still trespassing and as far as I know that is a crime. The father still had a right to run the boy out of his home even if you put the consensual sex and gun in the scenario aside. If the kid attacked the father to boot, then, well...I'm afraid the young man is sol too.

I think the rape thing is a seperate issue altogether. I do think some families manipulate those laws in order to protect their daughter's reputation or she manipulates to protect her own. Not sure how you seperate those cases from the legit ones. I also do believe some girls really aren't up to giving 'consent' yet, but it's probably a family counseling issue then one involving rape charges. Maybe counseling on the boys side too so he understands he shouldn't take the decision to sleep with someone so lightly. As someone else said, it's a double-headed issue(no pun intented).