TAHLEQUAH —
Prosecutors have filed charges against two women after Tahlequah police investigated allegations of lewd molestation involving a 14-year-old girl.
Angela Mclehaney, 21, is charged with forcible oral sodomy and lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16; Stella Josephine Braddock, 45, is charged with felony child neglect.
Tahlequah Detective Thomas Donnell said Mclehaney apparently needed a place to stay last fall and was allowed to move in with her 14-year-old female friend. Donnell said Mclehaney was paying rent to the alleged victim’s mother, Braddock.
Donnell said information he received from the Department of Human Services indicated Mclehaney and the 14-year-old girl were also involved in a sexual relationship.
“I went and interviewed the girl, and she said yes, that her mom knew [about the sexual relationship], and her mom condoned it,” said Donnell. “[Mclehaney and the 14-year-old girl] slept in the same room, in the same bed.”
Donnell said he spoke to Mclehaney and she confirmed she was involved in a sexual relationship with the teen girl. Donnell said he then arrested Mclehaney.
When Donnell interviewed Braddock, she told him she wasn’t sure about the alleged sexual relationship between the teen and Mclehaney, Donnell said.
“I think she did know; I don’t think she cared because she was making money off of [Mclehaney],” said Donnell.
Braddock was arrested a day after Mclehaney.
According to the information filed with charges against Mclehaney, she committed sodomy on the girl and kissed her in a lewd manner sometime between June and October 2012.
The child neglect charge against Braddock alleges she failed to protect the teen from illegal activities – in this case, the sexual contact – by allowing Mclehaney to stay in the same bed and house as the teen.
If convicted, Mclehaney could face up to 10 years in prison for the forcible sodomy charge and three to 20 years for lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16.
Braddock could face up to life in prison if convicted of child neglect.
Court records show Mclehaney posted bond after it was reduced to $15,000 earlier this month, and she was set for an initial appearance Tuesday afternoon.
Braddock was also given a $15,000 bond and later released, records show. She has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to be back in court on Feb. 27 at 9 a.m.
Local News
Women investigated under allegations of lewd molestation
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