“HE TOLD ME HE WAS ALMOST 17”

A dispute involving a teenage boy, older women, and angry parents led to a police report—and a reminder that lying about age doesn’t always protect adults from legal trouble. Portsmouth police were first contacted after a woman reported her daughter and a friend were receiving threats from the mother of a 16-year-old boy. According to the report, the boy’s mother became alarmed after allegedly discovering her son had been spending time with older females. She told officers she went through her son’s phone and learned one of the women involved was 19 years old and that some kind of relationship may have existed. The mother also claimed she believed her son had been smoking marijuana with the older women. Police said the mother wanted the incident documented because her son had only recently turned 16. She also told officers she planned to take him to juvenile probation the following morning. ⚠️ “HE LIED ABOUT HIS AGE” Officers later spoke with one of the women involved, who had recently turned 20. According to the report, the woman admitted she knew the teen was underage but claimed he told her he would turn 17 within a few months. She also denied any sexual contact and said the relationship had never even become physical. The woman told police she had since blocked the teen on social media and had no intention of contacting him again. She also claimed the boy’s mother had threatened to “beat her ass.” Police advised both sides about the protection order process. No criminal charges were filed at the time. ⚖️ WHY LYING ABOUT AGE CAN STILL LEAD TO TROUBLE One thing many adults don’t realize: A minor lying about their age does not automatically protect an adult from criminal charges. In many cases, courts focus on: The actual age of the minor Whether the adult reasonably should have known The nature of the relationship Messages, photos, or evidence involved 👀 SOCIAL MEDIA MAKES IT EVEN MORE COMPLICATED Police say cases involving teens and young adults increasingly start online through: Snapchat Instagram TikTok Messaging apps Dating apps And sometimes people misrepresent their age, maturity, or identity entirely. 🚨 A GOOD RULE TO REMEMBER If someone is close to the legal age line—and there’s uncertainty—it’s safest to walk away completely. Because even when no charges are filed initially, situations involving minors can escalate quickly into: Criminal investigations Protective orders Family conflicts Juvenile court involvement Or long-term legal consequences.

Related Content

BURGLAR LEAVES STRANGE CLUE BEHIND AFTER WEST PORTSMOUTH BREAK-IN

TPO DRAMA SPILLS INTO SCHOOL EVENTS