The sexual abuse article about fire Captain Denis Ducharme and his admittance to having sex with a child has me wondering why you found it necessary to include at the end of this article all the good deeds Mr. Ducharme has done for the community (April 22).

At this point, who cares?

Were those tidbits of “good doings” supposed to soften the community’s opinion of him and overlook the fact that he molested a 14-year-old boy?

Unfortunately a judge saw it that way. What a shame!

Was the discharge of the 1-year jail sentence based on the fact that the minor “consented” to having sex with Mr. Ducharme? Since when does a minor’s willingness become consensual, making it legal and lawful for an adult to molest?

If it had been a 10-year-old girl who “consented,” would that have been OK, too?

A 14-year-old is a minor. An adult has admitted to having sex with a minor. It is against the law for an adult to have sex with a minor.

What was the gray area in this black and white case that impaired the judge in protecting this child and imposing a stern punishment on Mr. Ducharme?

Are we missing something, or is this just another case that confirms to society that there is no justice. Not even for a child.

Barbara Villani, Greene

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