WARREN Child-rape case goes to grand jury

The defendant told police she had sexual contact with the infant after she was dared by others.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Trumbull County grand jury will soon decide if an 18-year-old Youngstown woman should be indicted on a rape charge.
Judge Thomas Gysegem ruled Friday, after a preliminary hearing, that there was enough evidence to have Nicole Harris' case sent to the grand jury.
Harris, of Thalia Avenue, Youngstown, has pleaded innocent to the rape charge. She is being held in the county jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
Police say Harris is accused of having sexual contact with a 1-year-old boy she was baby-sitting.
During Friday's hearing, prosecutors stated that Harris gave police a statement saying she did have sexual contact with the boy.
"There were other people at the house when this happened and she told police that she did this on a dare and that another girl did it first," said Atty. Anthony Consoldane, of the Ohio Public Defender's Commission, who is representing Harris.
No other charges have been filed, but police are continuing the investigation.
Mother's testimony: The boy's mother testified Friday that she came home from work Nov. 26 and saw the boy was undressed. She said Harris told her she was changing the baby's diaper.
The mother said she was told by a friend that Harris had sexual contact with the baby.
The mother said she was very upset and assaulted Harris. Photographs taken by police after Harris' arrest show that Harris had a swollen lip and a black eye.
No charges have been filed against the mother. Police said Harris did not want to press charges.
Held against will? Consoldane asked the mother if she locked Harris in the basement and told her she was staying there until the bruises healed. The mother denied the allegations.
The mother said Harris was in the basement. She added, however, that there is no lock on the basement and that Harris was free to leave the house.
The mother notified police Nov. 27, and police arrested Harris at the mother's home, reports state.
Detective Jeff Cole said Harris was staying at the Belmont N.W. home with the baby and his mother for a few weeks. Harris dropped out of high school in her sophomore year, police said.
sinkovich@vindy.com