Mom Ordered To Pay Child Support To The Rapist Who Gained Custody Of Her Teen Daughter

The public was outraged when a woman came out with her story of how she lost custody of her teenage girl to the very man who raped her and was even ordered to pay him child support. The Louisiana mom shared her disturbing story with local network WBRZ, which put it under the spotlight amongst corruption watchdogs.

Now 32 years old, Abelseth remembered how John Barnes, the perpetrator who was then 30 years old, attacked her after she accepted a ride home at the age of 16.

She conceived and decided to give birth to the child at the age of 16. But when she was 5, the man found out about her and began attempting to gain custody of the child and even got himself child support from the woman.

Louisiana statutory rape laws mandated that everyone under 17 is automatically the victim in these cases. But Abelseth’s police report from years ago never led anywhere.

And the man’s argument was outrageously, as simple as because Abelseth gave her 16-year-old daughter a cellphone.

Abelseth was obviously dumbfounded by the result and has been campaigning to gain full custody of her daughter again. She also wanted to see Barnes persecuted.

Louisiana’s statutory rape laws do not consider whether an underage consented. Abelseth’s police report in 2015 also added that she was drunk when the perpetrator drove her home after they met at the bar. She recalled, “John Barnes offered to take me home. Instead of bringing me to my house, John Barnes brought me to his home.”

When she found out that she was having a baby, her relatives thought that she had it with a boyfriend, and she never cleared up the rumors. Then Barnes found out about the girl and gained 50/50 custody in 2015. By 2022, he had gained full custody of the girl.

Judge Jeffrey Cashe allowed the man to have it after Barnes complained that the teen girl had got a cellphone from her mom.

Abelseth also slammed Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for not acting on her report of sexual assault. She said, “It was never assigned to a detective, and nothing was ever investigated.”

John Barnes is the owner of Gumbeaux Digital and has established a business with the Ponchatoula Police.

On top of that, the mom recalled, “He’s threatened me multiple times, saying he has connections in the justice system, so I better be careful, and he can take her away anytime he wants to. I didn’t believe him until it happened.”

Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault attorney Sean Cassidy expressed outrage at the case, “It seems pretty straight-forward that not only did a crime take place, but as a result of the crime, this person should not have custody of the child.”

Similarly, Save Lives advocate Stacie Triche who’s been assisting Crysta Abelseth with the legal system, said, “When I found out she was a rape victim, and this rapist could potentially get full custody, that’s when I stepped in and said something has to be done about this.”

“She’s been forced to pay her perpetrator. Forced to pay her rapist child support and legal fees and give up custody of the child that’s a product of the rape. It makes no sense.”

She’s appealed to Judge Jeffrey Cashe, the same judge that gave the man full custody this year.