Princeton Harlan, 18, star quarterback at Mt. Pleasant High School in Maury County, Tennessee, was arrested with 2 teammates Wednesday morning for the rape of a 12-year-old girl, reports WKRN in Nashville.
The name of the other two young men, ages 16- and 17-years-old, were not released because of their minor status.
The rape was reported after the girl’s mother discovered that her daughter was pregnant. The pregnancy was terminated early in the first trimester.
“The girl in this case went to her biological mother and told her she thought she was pregnant. That’s what started us investigating the case,” Detective Anthony Bailey said. “She was pregnant and had an abortion.”
See news report below:
According to Bailey, they began investigating the student-athletes about a month ago. It was discovered that each of the young men had sex with the girl in “separate incidents.” The detective made it clear that he doesn’t believe that the girl was forced, but 12-year-olds can not legally consent to sex.
The incident has sent shock waves through the community, reports the Huffington Post.
“It’s really devastating,” Wendall Holder, a 1989 Mt. Pleasant graduate, told the Tennessean. “Princeton [Harlan] is being looked at by major colleges and it’s just a big deal here. He had a lot ahead of him.”
The father of the child is unknown and school officials have not commented on the players’ status on the football team.
Harlan was released from jail on $100,000 bail; his arraignment is scheduled for November 5.
