9th Circuit won't block Chippewa Cree man from seeing family

Wednesday, October 24, 2012  

A member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse can't be barred from seeing his family when he is released, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday.

Timothy Eric Wolf Child admitted that he attempted to have sex with a 16-year-old girl who was intoxicated. He was sentenced to 86 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

His conditions of release barred him from living with minors and from dating or socializing with someone who has minor children unless he receives written approval from a parole officer. The 9th Circuit said the conditions went too far and imposed on Wolf Child's "liberty."

"It is hard to imagine how Wolf Child would be able to develop friendships, maintain meaningful relationships with others, remain employed, or in any way lead a normal life during the 10 years of his supervised release," the decision stated.

"The breadth of that part is also troubling given that it was imposed without any evidence that Wolf Child has ever used a relationship with an adult to gain access to the adult’s child," the court said.

Get the Story:
Father Can't Be Isolated From Family, Court Says (Courthouse News Service 10/23)

9th Circuit Decision:
US v. Wolf Child (October 23, 2012)