Opinion ID: 2635774
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: State v. Rodriguez

Text: Rodriguez was an employee at the Hillsboro Boys & Girls Club, where she worked with at-risk youth. One of the at-risk youths with whom she worked was a boy who was 12 years old when Rodriguez began working at the club. Rodriguez developed a close relationship with the boy and his family, spending time at his home, helping him with his homework, and giving him rides to the club and to school. She and the boy spent time together outside the cluboften alonein her car, at her apartment, or at his home all in violation of club rules. Rodriguez told the boy not to tell anyone that they had been alone at her apartment. Rodriguez and the boy often hugged each other and put their arms around each other. The boy sat on her lap in her office and occasionally kissed her on the cheek. Rodriguez sent email messages to the boy in which she called him babyface and said, I love you and love you lots. The boy sent Rodriguez similar messages. Rodriguez took the boy with her on several trips, including overnight trips to visit a former club member and to visit her family. Their conduct had raised concerns among staff members and became the subject of rumors among other children at the club. The conduct that gave rise to this case occurred on February 14, 2005. Another staff member saw Rodriguez and the boy in the game room at the club, along with 30 to 50 other youths and at least one other staff member. The victim, 13 years old at the time, was sitting in a chair. Rodriguez was standing behind him, caressing his face and pulling his head back; the back of his head was pressed against her breasts. 217 Or. App. at 354, 174 P.3d 1100. The staff member pointed that out to another staff member, who saw [Rodriguez] run her hands along the victim's face and through his hair while the back of his head was against her breasts. Id. The contact lasted approximately one minute. The staff member reported the incident to a supervisor, and the police were called. Rodriguez was eventually charged with first-degree sexual abuse based on that conduct, and a jury found her guilty.