“Love Shouldn’t Hurt”: Oklahoma Parents Say Daughter Was Denied Justice After Teen’s Assault Sentence

The parents of a teenager from Stillwater, Oklahoma, are speaking publicly for the first time to say they believe their daughter was denied justice after the young man accused of sexually assaulting her avoided prison time.

Family Breaks Silence

In an interview with Nightline’s JuJu Chang, previewed on Good Morning America on Dec. 10, Ivonne and Austin — the parents of the victim identified as Kate — described the emotional and practical toll the assaults have taken on their daughter. They criticized the sentence given to 18-year-old Jesse Butler, who authorities say assaulted two former girlfriends when he was 16 and 17.

ABCIvonne and Austin, the parents of one of Jesse Butler's alleged victims, speak out on 'Nightline'

Case Details and Sentence

Butler was arrested in March in Stillwater and faced multiple charges, including attempted rape, sexual battery, strangulation and domestic assault, according to court documents cited by local outlets. He initially faced adult charges and as much as 78 years in prison, but a judge later granted him youthful offender status.

In August Butler pleaded no contest to 11 counts. In November the judge sentenced him to community service, counseling and rehabilitation rather than incarceration. The district attorney’s office told ABC News they consulted with victims’ families and warned such an outcome was possible.

Stillwater Police Department via StoryfulJesse Butler

Family Reaction

“Community service and counseling doesn’t equate to what he did to her; what he’s taken from her,”

— Ivonne, mother of the victim

Kate’s parents say the assault has had long-term effects: she is completing her senior year online, has withdrawn from school friendships and is too frightened to attend prom or graduation. Her father, Austin, said they hope Butler’s name is known so others can be warned of his capability for harm.

Legal Follow-Up

The family’s attorney, Rachel Bussett, told Nightline she believed the outcome did not reflect the seriousness of the allegations and said a motion was filed contesting the plea and sentencing process, arguing Kate’s rights were violated during those proceedings.

Stillwater Police DepartmentJesse Butler's mugshot

What The Family Hopes

Ivonne said she hopes her daughter will someday rebuild trust and try to date again. “That was her first experience with love. I hope that she’ll try again because love shouldn’t hurt,” she said.

Resources

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text STRENGTH to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are free, confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages.

Reporting sources included Nightline, Good Morning America, KOCO, FOX 25, KJRH, The Journal Record and Oklahoma Watch.