A married 38-year-old mom has admitted to having sex as many as 15 times with a teenage boy in Michigan. Brooke Lajiness appeared in court on March 16 in the Pittsfield Township, just south of Ann Arbor. There, Lajiness told a judge that she had sex with a 14-year-old boy between eight and 15 times. The pair also exchanged naked photos via text messages, according to Michigan State Trooper Donald Pasternak. The abuse began in the summer of 2016 while the boy was in between middle and high school.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Lajiness’ Husband Has Tried to Blame Her Adultery on a Case of Insomnia
Lajiness pictured with her husband. (Facebook)
MLive reported on August 7 that Lajiness had been sentenced to anywhere between four years and 15 years in prison after being found guilty.
During the court proceedings, the mother of a victim read out a statement saying, “You made a conscious effort on several occasions to make arrangements to meet my son, sneak out of your house, start your car, leave your husband and children at home and drive to my son’s father’s house, back into the driveway between midnight and 4 a.m., wait for my son to run in the driveway, commit a crime and leave. Did you know that this was wrong? Did you ever worry about the harm you were doing to my son?”
The boy’s mother added that her son now struggles in school with the media attention the case has garnered.
While Lajiness’ husband read a statement in court that attributed his wife’s adultery to her insomnia.
Michigan Live reports that Lajiness first appeared in court on March 16, she will be back for a probable cause hearing on March 30. The website reports that Lejiness will be charged with 13 counts of third-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of accosting a minor and one count of furnishing obscenity to a child.
Michigan State Police Trooper Donald Pasternak told a jury on March 3 that he had been investigating Lejiness since February, reports Michigan Live. He said that the case began when the mother of the victim went to a trooper station and reported the abuse. Pasternak said that the majority of the sex took place in Lajiness’ car. He added, “They started conversing and exchanging nude photographs while he was still in middle school.”
2. Lajiness Is Banned From Booze, Social Media & Contacting Minors While Out on Bail
(Facebook)
Lajiness is free on a $50,000 bond, reports Michigan Live. During that time, Lajiness is forbidden from drinking alcohol, taking drugs, going on social media and having contact with minors. Lajiness is however allowed to go back to her family home in Toledo, Ohio, so as long as he informs authorities about her plans to travel.
Prosecutors are investigating whether or not there are more victims. Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor John Vella told Michigan Live, “This case involves a defendant seeking out minors for sex.” While Lajiness’ lawyer, David Goldstein, countered, “He keeps talking about ‘minors,’ but there’s one.”
3. Lajiness Studied Biology at the University of Las Vegas
(Facebook)
According to her Facebook page, Lajiness is from Erie, Michigan and now lives in the town of Dexter. She spent time studying biology at the University of Las Vegas, though her page doesn’t say if she graduated. Lajiness also studied at the Michigan College of Beauty and graduated from Mason Senior High School in Erie. Her last job was a Biundo’s Salon & Spa in Monroe, Michigan.
Lajiness is married to David Lajiness Junior. Her maiden name is Sedlar. They were married in 2000. The couple has two children, a son, and a daughter. Their son is high school age. In her About section, Lajiness says, “I am loving my life at the moment. My kids are independant but still rely on me most of the time. I am truly blessed for my wonderful family that is healthy and happy. What more can a mom ask for her family.”
4. Lajiness Regularly Updates Her Facebook Page With Messages of Love for Her Husband
(Facebook)
One of Lajiness’s favorite topics on Facebook is her husband. Her last visible posting is from February 16 when she posted a picture of the couple saying, “I love this man so much.” Earlier in February, Lajiness posted another photo, writing in the caption, “In life nothing is guaranteed. So finding someone who knows all your flaws, weaknesses and mistakes and still thinks you’re amazing is something to hold onto and never take for granted!” While in June 2016, which is around the time prosecutors believe the abuse started, Lajiness wrote under a photo of the pair together, “Thanks for being my #1 fan for the past 19 years.”
5. Male Victims of Female Sexual Abuse ‘Often Face Legal Double Standards’
In Myriam Denov’s Perspectives on Female Sex Offending, male victims are regularly the victims of legal and social double standards. Experts told CNN in 2014 that the CDC’s official numbers, saying 1 in 71 men have been raped in the U.S., are likely incorrect. That’s due to underreporting and unwillingness for victims to come forward.