Panel OKs legislation blocking rapist from rights over child conceived in attack

INDIANAPOLIS | A rapist who impregnates his victim could not have custody, parenting time or contact with the child under legislation approved 8-0 by an Indiana Senate committee Wednesday.

State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, said he sponsored Senate Bill 190 after learning of a Chicago case in which the rapist sued his victim for custody of the child conceived as a result of the rape.

The legislation allows a court to exempt a rapist from paying support for the child he is not allowed to see. The measure also would not apply to a child conceived by a married couple, regardless of the circumstances of conception.

It now advances to the full Senate.