Jay woman charged with enabling child abuse

A Jay woman accused of allowing an Illinois man to engage in a sexual relationship with a teenager has been charged with enabling child abuse.

Holli Mae Smith, 34, was charged with the felony on Monday, March 20, in Delaware County District Court, in Jay.

When interviewed by Detective Tracy Shaw, with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, Smith admitted she used poor judgment concerning the relationship between Christopher Robert Parlier, 28, of Peoria, Illinois and the 15-year-old girl, according to an arrest affidavit filed in court.

Parlier has not been charged in Delaware County District Court, however, according to Captain Gayle Wells with the Delaware County Sheriff's office, information concerning the case has been turned over to federal authorities.

About the charge

Believing Parlier was 18-years-old Smith transported the teen across the state line in July 2016 for her 15th birthday so she could meet Parlier after they had been corresponding for five months online, Shaw's affidavit states.

Smith, who along with the teen picked up Parlier at a Joplin, Missouri bus station, discovered Parlier was 28-years old.

After picking up Parlier at the bus station, Smith rented a motel room in Joplin with two beds, which were occupied by her and the teen while Parlier slept on the floor, the affidavit states.

At some point in the night, Parlier got in bed with the teen, the affidavit states.

Smith told investigators she allowed Parlier to stay at her home up to one month but felt uncomfortable with the arrangement, Shaw's affidavit continues.

"She [Smith] was angry when he suddenly left to return home in Illinois because she had found him a place to live and he was supposed to go to work at a neighbor's residence close to her home," Shaw wrote in the affidavit.

Smith remains free on $20,000 bail. She is scheduled to return to court at 9:30 a.m., Monday, March 27.

http://www.grandlakenews.com/article/20170322/NEWS/170329787