Heather Koon: Ohio Daycare Worker Pleads Guilty To Raping, Videotaping Toddlers
Heather Koon, a former daycare worker, has pleaded guilty to raping, photographing, and videotaping several toddlers who were left in her care at a daycare in Elyria, Ohio.
According to The Chronicle- Telegram, Kook was reportedly working on behest of her fiance, convicted sex offender James Osborne, who also entered guilty pleas in a separate court appearance related to sexual abuse of children.
The abuse took place at the ABC Kidz Daycare in March and April 2013. According to the sheriff’s deputies and prosecutors, Osborne reportedly instructed Koon to rape four children, some as young as one, all while videotaping and photographing the abuse. After leaving ABC Kidz Daycare, Heather got a job at Country Day School in Amherst, Ohio where similar incidents took place.
Heather Koon, who allegedly raped and photographed 4 children, has plead guilty in court. https://t.co/KxvCP7NwBL pic.twitter.com/ANHkyHhvVq
— CW33 (@CW33) July 5, 2016
The authorities discovered the horrific abuse after they arrived at Koon’s home in September 2013 to arrest Osborne. He had reportedly been living with Koon despite giving the county a different address in Oberlin. Osborne was already registered as a sex offender for child pornography that was found on his computer in 2007 after he took it to a shop to be repaired. In 2010, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation.
When the authorities arrived at Koon’s home, they discovered Osborne with a laptop sitting next to him despite the fact that as part of his probation, he was banned from using the internet. In addition, the police discovered a sexually explicit photo of a teenage girl on his cell phone. After confiscating Osborne’s computer and cell phone, the police discovered the videos and photos of Koon raping and abusing the children at the daycare.
Originally, Koon faced 40 separate charges, while Osborne was facing 81. However, many of the charges were dropped to “simplify the case” because the pair wouldn’t have received any added prison time for the additional charges, Assistant County Prosecutor Tony Cillo explained.
Guilty pleas from Heather Koon and James Osborne in child care rape case. https://t.co/Fp50DHzS38
— Brad Dicken (@BradDickenCT) July 1, 2016
In total, Koon pleaded guilty to four counts each of rape, kidnapping, and pandering obscenity involving a minor. She also pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, and single counts of tampering with evidence and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Osborne pleaded guilty to four counts each of complicity to rape, complicity to kidnapping, and pandering obscenity involving a minor. Osborne also pleaded guilty to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, failure to register as a sex offender, and three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.
Dan Wightman, Koon’s defense attorney, said he hopes the judge will recognize that Heather was following the direction of her boyfriend when she committed the rapes.
“We are hopeful that at the end of the day the judge recognizes that Heather to a great extent felt compelled to be involved in this activity,” Wightman said. “But she does have a lot of remorse about it.”
Kreig Brusnahan, Osborne’s lawyer, said Osborne knows his actions were wrong.
“My client can’t take back what happened and is sincerely regretful for what he has done,” he said.
Accused child molester Heather Koon sued by mother of alleged victim http://t.co/mUGqhHpLhV
— The Morning Journal (@MorningJournal) May 6, 2014
One mother, who has not been identified, said her two-year-old daughter was sexually abused by Heather Koon, and she doesn’t feel that she is taking responsibility for her actions. She said she had taken her daughter to therapy, and her family chooses not to discuss the horrific abuse she endured.
One of Heather’s other victims, a girl who was only three years old at the time, doesn’t remember the abuse, according to her mother, but still has lasting effects from it.
“She doesn’t trust adults at all,” the girl’s mother said.
Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Miraldi will determine the pair’s sentence at a later hearing. Koon could be facing 15 years to life without parole in prison. She is also facing several lawsuits from the parents of her victims.
[Photo via Shutterstock]
