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Engaged to teen, man faces prison

In their native Mexico, the 15-year-old girl and 24-year-old man are of prime marriage age.

By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Published November 22, 2005

TAMPA - Four months ago, they were barely allowed to look at each other.

But on Monday, 15-year-old Areli Nava strode into the courthouse lobby and sat down next to Leonel Reyes, 24.

They chatted and later giggled at the elevators. They seemed like any other engaged couple, the parents of a toddler.

But to state prosecutors, the relationship makes Reyes a child abuser.

On Monday, as the pair seemed only steps away from being granted formal reunification in juvenile court, caseworkers announced that the State Attorney's Office has filed criminal charges.

Now Reyes faces up to five years in prison.

Caseworkers with the Department of Children and Families separated the couple about 18 months ago on the day Nava gave birth to their son at Tampa General Hospital. In their Indian culture in Mexico, they were both of prime marriage age.

But under orders from juvenile court, they were told not to contact each other. Since then, Reyes attended sex offender classes. They were both ordered into parenting classes. Four months ago, the juvenile court judge lifted the no-contact order. Everything seemed to be moving toward the couple reuniting.

However, no one knew prosecutors were investigating, too.

Law enforcement had a different name for Reyes. Last December, the State Attorney's Office filed a charge of child abuse, related to impregnating a girl under the age of 16, said Kristen Over, assistant state attorney, after the hearing Monday.

In August, he was arrested. Reyes pleaded not guilty, and a trial was set for January, Over said. She would not say if the juvenile court case might affect the criminal case, or vice versa.

Whether prosecutors decide to drop charges, enter a plea agreement or seek a conviction for the third-degree felony, Over wouldn't say. The crime is punishable with up to five years in prison.

"It's too early to say how it's going to be resolved," she said.

The Times published a story in July about the couple being among a growing number of Florida's agricultural workers who come from remote parts of Mexico and Central America that are home to Indian communities.

Sometimes they have a greater language barrier to overcome than Spanish-speaking immigrants. They communicate in indigenous dialects, with little to no knowledge of Spanish.

Reyes and Nava speak Spanish. But in their case, their way of life got them in trouble.

Looking for work, the two had immigrated to Hillsborough County from the Mexican municipality of Ahuacotzingo, Guerrero, which is inhabited by Nahua Indians. They were engaged when they arrived.

In their Indian culture, a bride is chosen between the ages of 13 and 15, after she starts puberty and learns household responsibilities, according to the Mexican consulate in Orlando, which got involved in the case on Reyes' behalf.

Men usually marry around 17 to 19 years old, when they have learned agriculture or artisan skills. Nava's parents agreed to the union.

But the relationship violated Florida law, state investigators said. Nava and the baby, also named Leonel, were put in foster care, where they remain.

On Monday, Hillsborough Circuit General Magistrate Joan Montagno learned from state caseworkers that Nava has been taking parenting classes and started high school, works part time at a day care and opened a savings account at a bank. She now speaks English.

Montagno praised her progress.

Nava's attorney, William Sinnott, plans to ask a Hillsborough circuit judge to allow the couple to reunite. He hopes to seek a legal visa and then a green card for Nava based on her juvenile status. She still wants to marry Reyes, Sinnott told Montagno.

Reyes declined to comment outside of court.

[Last modified November 22, 2005, 02:15:27]