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Provo • An Orem proctor parent accused of having sex with one of the boys in her charge pleaded no contest to two obstruction of justice counts Wednesday.
Ashley Nicole Cloward, 32, was initially charged with two counts of first-degree felony rape, first-degree felony sodomy, first-degree felony object rape and second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse. Now, instead of facing life in prison, Cloward is facing a maximum of one year in jail on each count.
Deputy Utah County Attorney Donna Kelly said her case was hobbled by a missing witness a boy who was a fugitive from the juvenile justice system. She said other witnesses could not be located, and the victim who was 17 at the time of the alleged sexual encounters was homeless and difficult to contact. The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name victims of sexual assault.
"I think it is terrible when we feel a crime has been committed, but we can't prove it," Kelly said after the hearing.
Kelly said the obstruction charge was based on the fact that Cloward withheld significant information during the investigation.
Cloward is accused of coercing the boy in her care to have sex with her several times between October 2008 and February 2009.
Fourth District Judge Lynn Davis expressed outrage at the state for permitting Cloward, then a single woman in her late 20s, to serve as a proctor parent for troubled boys. He said such an arrangement was "beyond comprehension."
"I cannot imagine a man in his 20s would be allowed to be a proctor for troubled teenage girls," Davis said. He asked his clerk to determine who in state government he should contact about the issue.
Elizabeth Sollis, spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services, said in an interview that the agency does not discriminate against single people in making proctor parent assignments.
Sollis said all proctor parents are subject to a background check and a home inspection before children are placed with them. She said they are also advised on avoiding compromising situations.
Outside the courthouse, Cloward maintained her innocence. She said the boy made up the allegation to avoid being thrown into juvenile detention.
"I was trying to show him a new way of life," Cloward said. "He only knew growing up in the juvenile system."
She also suspected the boy was jealous that he was not getting more attention than the other boys in her charge.
Cloward took the plea deal, she said, because she wanted to end the case and move on. She said the accusation has ruined her career goal of helping troubled youth.
"He took that away from me," she said.
Cloward's sentencing is scheduled for April 13.
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