Man pleads guilty to duping moms into abusing kids

[cali]

By JEFF KAROUB Associated Press The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — In real life, Steven Demink didn't have children, a college degree or a lasting career. Online, prosecutors say, he presented himself as Dalton St. Clair, an attractive single father and psychologist — a fantasy image authorities say the Michigan man used to persuade mothers across the country to commit unspeakable acts on their children.

Demink, 41, of Redford Township, preyed on single mothers for more than a year, prosecutors say, convincing them to sexually assault their children as a form of therapy. After pleading guilty Monday to six charges related to the sexual exploitation of children, Demink faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced in June.

Demink's alter-ego was a single father of a 14-year-old girl, prosecutors said, and he posted pictures of male models as his headshots. In some cases, court documents say, Demink promised the women a date if they followed through with his directions.

Since authorities arrested him in October, seven children were rescued and at least three mothers have been arrested. Prosecutors say all of the children are now safe.

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http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?id=18356060&ps=1011&srce=news_class&action=1&lang=en&_LT=HOME_USNWC00L1_UNEWS&page=1

OK, this guy is a despicable pig, but what the fuck? What mother would allow herself to be duped into sexually abusing her kid?

[hobbit709]

1. None of these women thought WTF-Just wait a fucking minute?

[Bunny]

2. I read the article, and I'm inferring that he targeted women with

disabled or otherwise troubled kids. Maybe they were so desperate for help that they were willing to do any...

Nah, I can't even try to defend those mothers. What in the hell were they thinking???

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I can't defend them either. Even when you're at the end of your rope,

you have to see that there is something wrong here.

[JVS]

3. I hope they prosecute those mothers too. They sound complicit, not just duped.

And if they are stupid enough to actually be duped like that, they have no place looking out for a kid.

[d_r]

4. W. T. F.

speechless.

They did prosecute the moms. according to the second page of the article. They are looking for more he had contact with.

How in the hell can people come up with / fall for / go along with this stuff?

[Romulox]

6. These women were co-conspirators, not "victims".

Women. They have moral agency now!

[deutsey]

7. Good lord.

:evilfrown:

[BanzaiBonnie]

8. Sadly, we are trained from childhood

to over-ride our own feelings and follow authority. Target a woman who is already broken and present yourself as an "authority" and they will, with enough grooming, do as you ask. That does not mean I don't hold these women responsible for their actions.