By Jean Cole
A 26-year-old Athens man has been charged with second-degree rape after his 14-year-old girlfriend gave birth Wednesday, an official said.
Noe Perez Leon, 26, of 18414 Alabama 99 was arrested Thursday and released from the Limestone County Jail after posting a $15,000 bail bond, records show.
The parents of the girl were aware their daughter’s boyfriend was older but did not report the incident, said Limestone County Chief Investigator Stanley McNatt.
“The girl went to the hospital and gave birth Wednesday,” McNatt said. “The hospital called the Department of Human Resources and they notified us Thursday.”
Investigator Leslie Ramsey and a DHR social worker interviewed both the girl and Leon, who acknowledged he had sex with the girl and that he was the father of the baby.
Under Alabama law, a 14 year old is too young to consent to sex.
