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Oct 28, 2009 9:42 pm US/Central
Dallas Mom Fighting Law Allowing Kids To See Porn
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A Dallas mother wants to change an obscure Texas law that allows parents to show their young children hardcore pornography.
Crystal Buckner claims her ex-husband made their two little girls watch graphic sex videos, but Buckner says the law protects him from being prosecuted.
"At one point, my eight-year-old closed her eyes and tried to look away and not watch. My ex-husband made her open her eyes and watch."
The 30-year-old mother from Dallas divorced her husband seven years ago. Until recently, he had custody of their three daughters in Amarillo.
Buckner says it was an early morning last February when her ex-husband allegedly made their eight and nine-year-old daughters sit in front of a home computer.
"He showed them two girls together. He showed them a guy and two girls and other sexual acts."
Buckner says she found out five months later when her daughters were in counseling. A therapist in Plano took notes detailing graphic descriptions by one of the young girls. The notes were given to CBS 11 by the girl's mother.
"He took away their innocence. At nine and eight, they should not know how two girls are together. At nine and eight, they should not know how a guy can be with two women."
Buckner contacted police in Amarillo. They took their evidence to the Randall County district attorney who came across Texas penal code - section 43.24: 'the sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to minors.' in other words; pornography.
The law states 'it is a defense to prosecution if the sale, distribution, or exhibition was to a minor who was accompanied by a consenting parent, guardian, or spouse.'
"How can it not be illegal for a parent to force their children to watch porn? How can that be?"
Randall County DA James Farren is asking the same question.
He sent a written request to Attorney General Greg Abbott asking for an opinion.
Jerry Strickland, the communications director for the AG's office, tells CBS 11 "It is going through the opinions process and the issue is undergoing thorough research and review."
"Teaching your child about sex education is one thing. Doing what he did at three o'clock in the morning while drinking and making them watch it? That's not education" says Buckner.
State Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville can't believe it either, and says he will advocate for a change in the law during the next legislative session. So for now, Buckner has no choice but to wait and wonder.
"I think what he did is on the line of being a child pedophile. I honestly believe that. This is just one step away."
CBS 11 left three voice messages with Buckner's ex-husband. He has not returned our phone calls. Meanwhile, Crystal Buckner has regained temporary custody of her three daughters until a hearing next February.
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