A Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison following his involvement in the pregnancy of a 12-year-old girl. This case raises significant concerns about child safety and the failures to protect vulnerable individuals. Below are the pertinent details surrounding the incident.
According to reports from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Joshua Weibye became acquainted with the unnamed victim when she was just five years old, as he was in a relationship with her mother at that time. During this period, Weibye began to sexually exploit the young girl while still involved with her mother.
In 2020, as the child grew older, she attempted to disclose the abuse to her mother. However, her mother dismissed her claims and continued to permit Weibye unrestricted access to the child. The situation took a grave turn in 2021.
Law enforcement officials reported that Weibye took the now 12-year-old girl to an abortion clinic in Austin upon discovering her pregnancy. The clinic declined to perform the procedure, citing the absence of a guardian or parent. Additionally, clinic staff notified authorities due to the child’s age.
Subsequent police investigations revealed that Weibye attempted to persuade the child to fabricate a story, claiming that her pregnancy resulted from a relationship with another 12-year-old boy. However, investigators quickly recognized inconsistencies in her account, as documented in their findings:
“The victim could not provide consistent information and lacked answers to fundamental questions. Officers also learned that the victim’s mother was unaware of her pregnancy or that Weibye had taken her for an abortion, which raised further suspicions.”
Following the revelation of the abuse, the child’s mother took her children to Mexico, evading Child Protective Services’ efforts to locate them. Eventually, after it was confirmed that Weibye had returned the child to Texas, he was apprehended by law enforcement. Reports indicate that the child was no longer pregnant, as it was alleged that her mother had administered pills that resulted in a miscarriage.
Weibye faced trial and was convicted on two counts: indecency with a child and sexual assault against a minor whom he was legally barred from marrying. He received a cumulative sentence of 100 years in prison. Further updates on this case will be provided as they become available.
