Pregnant rapist gets three years

Edna Robledo, of South San Francisco, said she did not realize her sexual actions were wrong until she was arrested. She told Ellis she wanted to raise her baby daughter, born in October, and turn her life around.

Robledo pleaded no contest to one count of statutory rape, one count of child molestation and the special allegation that there was substantial sexual conduct with the teenager. The last claim adds a strike on her criminal record. She must also register as a sex offender for the rest of her life. She receives credit for 164 days.

The relationship between Robledo, then 21, and her cousin's then-14-year-old son was discovered by the victim's aunt who caught them having sex. Robledo said the couple originally had protective sex but agreed to stop. She claims a health clinic worker said it was unlikely she would become pregnant.

The boy's mother has been raising Robledo's baby since her birth and Robledo said it's "been very hard" to be away from her while in jail.

Ellis imposed a no contact order between Robledo and the boy once she is released from custody.

Robledo agreed to the plea for no more than three years in state prison rather than the 40-year sentence a jury conviction might have returned. She was originally charged with 16 counts of child molestation and 24 counts of statutory rape between August 2003 and June 2004.

Defense attorney Chris Morales asked for a six-month suspended sentence, noting that infamous school teacher Mary Kay LaTourneau served only that term. Ellis, though, appeared to side with prosecutor Morris Maya who insisted a message should be sent to both Robledo and society at large about "the systematic abuse of children." Maya cautioned Ellis against treating her any differently than he would a male offender.

Robledo is not the first 20-something woman to face criminal charges after being impregnated by a much younger male. Last December, Paola Lopez, 26, pleaded no contest to unlawful sexual intercourse a month after giving birth to an infant fathered by the underage son of a friend. Lopez was sentenced to six months in county jail and was deported back to Guatemala.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.