09/25/2002

Associated Press

A trial has begun for the mother accused of criminal mistreatment for allowing men to have sex with her 11-year-old daughter.

Opening arguments began Tuesday in Linn County Court after lawyers narrowed a jury pool to eight men and four women.

Tania Sonia Perez, 31, was arrested in May after an employee of the Linn County Juvenile Department told police that Perez' daughter was pregnant. The girl, now 12, gave birth to a baby girl early in August.

Two men were also arrested in the case.

Antonio A. Cuesta-Ramirez, 19, pleaded guilty to first-degree rape and is serving more than eight years at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Sherwood. He may testify against Perez later in the week.

Hector Villanueva-Palma, 22, faces charges of sexual abuse and attempted rape. His trial date has not been set.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)