Archbald woman sentenced to probation in sex abuse case

March 04-- Mar. 4--SCRANTON -- An Archbald woman who investigators say knew her adult son was sexually abusing children but failed to intervene will spend two years on probation.

Joan Peterson, 58, received the probationary sentence Monday from Judge Andy Jarbola after pleading no contest Dec. 18 to a misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person.

Peterson and her son, Mathew Ryan Bryant, 27, also of Archbald, were charged in July following an investigation by Archbald and Dunmore police that began after one of the two children Bryant assaulted told her family about the abuse.

The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Bryant, who was initially accused of inappropriately touching the children, ages 7 and 9, was later charged with raping both victims and taking nude photographs of one of them. Police accused Peterson of failing to protect the children after she became aware of the abuse.

In court Monday, Peterson maintained her innocence, telling Jarbola she did not know her son was assaulting the children and would have done something had she known.

Her attorney, Douglas Vanston, told the judge that Peterson feels "incredible remorse."

Peterson was prepared to go to trial but chose instead to enter the no-contest plea to spare the victims from having to testify and possibly suffer additional harm, Vanston said.

Jarbola, who called it a difficult case, noted in handing down the sentence that Peterson has no prior criminal history.

Bryant pleaded guilty in October to two counts of child rape. He is scheduled to appear before Jarbola for sentencing on Friday.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9132

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