Woman charged after marrying boy, 15

updated 1:57 p.m. ET Nov. 14, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Ga. - A 37-year-old woman was charged with child molestation after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy whom she married last week.

The Gainesville Times quoted unidentified members of the boy’s family as saying that Lynnette Clark is pregnant with the boy’s child and that they were married Tuesday. Judy Hayles, the boy’s grandmother, said she received a notice of the marriage from Dawson County because she is the boy’s guardian.

Clark was arrested Wednesday and brought to the Hall County Detention Center. The Hall County sheriff’s office did not immediately return a call Monday seeking further detail.

Hayles said the relationship had been going on for nearly two years. She said her grandson and Clark’s teenage son had been close friends and that the grandson spent many weekends at Clark’s home.

Now Hayles said she is working to end the marriage.

“This marriage is going to be terminated,” she said.

Dawson County probate officials confirmed the marriage took place but declined to provide additional comment, saying a statement would be released later Monday.

Georgia law provides an exemption to age requirements for marriage if the couple have a child or the female can show she is pregnant. In Georgia, one must be 18 to marry without parental consent or 16 to marry with parental consent.

Gainesville, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, is the seat of Hall County. Dawson is an adjoining count.

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