An Oklahoma mother has found herself in trouble with the law after her preteen daughter gave birth to the child of a 24-year-old man.
Desiree Castaneda has been charged with enabling child sex abuse after her 12-year-old daughter welcomed a child by Juan Miranda-Jara. He told police he was the father of the child after being questioned. He also admitted to being "in a relationship" with the girl since last October.
Not only did Castaneda know of the relationship, but investigators discovered evidence she was supportive of it.
Desiree Castaneda knew her 12-year-old daughter was "dating" a 24-year-old man. Investigators found she supported the relationship that started in October 2020, even after her daughter became pregnant. She threw the couple a baby shower, as evidenced in photos obtained by police.
"The investigation revealed that the victim's mother and family members were aware of the relationship between the victim and [Juan] Miranda-Jara," police said in a statement shared on Facebook.
Police learned about the relationship after the 12-year-old arrived at the hospital with Miranda-Jara to deliver the baby. As she worked through labor, the hospital contacted police regarding a potential rape.
"They walked in just like any other couple would excited to deliver their newborn child," Tulsa Police Officer Danny Bean told Fox 23.
Miranda-Jara was genuinely confused as to why he was being arrested for first-degree rape.
"We don't get this kind of call every day. It certainly was a surprise for everyone involved," the officer noted.
Online records indicate that Miranda-Jara has pleaded not guilty and has a preliminary hearing set for August 26.
Police investigated how it was possible that a fifth or sixth grade girl could carry a pregnancy to term and have a "relationship" with a 24-year-old. The community had many questions and concerns.
"We know there are many people in the community who are shocked by this, grossed out by this, disturbed by this, have questions, a whole range of emotions," Officer Bean said during the investigation.
"But in time, we will be able to give the community the answers they want. We just don’t have all the answers right now to give them, and we don't want to compromise the investigation that's still happening and really just now getting started."
During their investigation, police found that Miranda-Jara and the victim were open about their relationship. There were pictures of them together on his Facebook page. The victim herself allegedly believed that if their loved ones all approved of the situation, there was nothing wrong with it.
According to News on 6's Lori Fullbright, an affidavit in the case states that Desiree Castaneda's daughter asked her permission to be in the relationship. Castaneda said yes and gave the girl two condoms. She is now facing charges of enabling child sex abuse and child neglect.
The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16 years old. It's unclear what will happen to the 12-year-old next, as her father is currently in jail on an unrelated first-degree rape charge. Oklahoma's Department of Human Services will determine where to place the 12-year-old and her healthy newborn.
