Wis. Mother's Conviction In Sexual Assault Case Upheld
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An appeals court has upheld the conviction of an Ozaukee County mother who sat by while her husband sexually assaulted her 12-year-old daughter.
According to court documents, Heather Steinhardt's husband, Walter Steinhardt, pressured her to let him have sex with her daughter. In April 2013 she led the girl into the bedroom and sat on the bed while he repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl.
He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. She pleaded no contest to failure to protect a child from sexual assault and being a party to child sexual assault.
She argued the charges amounted to double jeopardy. The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that she lost her right to double jeopardy review when she pleaded no contest.
Her attorney had no immediate comment.
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