Justin Bieber Baby Claim: Yeater's Lawyers Not Afraid of Rape Charge
Although Mariah Yeater, 20, is trying to make Justin Bieber, 17, take responsibility for his alleged child, the mother could face jail time for statutory rape surrounding the incident.
Yeater was 19 when her and a 16-year-old Bieber allegedly conceived a child in the bathroom of a Los Angeles concert arena. Andrew Smith, Los Angeles police commander, told the Associated Press that the possibility of an investigation exists.
"If it's brought to our attention, of course we'll look into it," said Smith.
In a recent "Today" show interview, the teen heartthrob denied the allegations.
"I'd just like to say that none of those allegations are true. I know that I'm going to be a target, but I'm never going to be a victim," said Bieber. "I think it's crazy because every night after the show I've gone right from the stage to my car, so it's crazy that someone would want to make such false allegations. To set the record straight, none of it's true."
The pop sensation also denied ever meeting with Yeater.
"I've never met the woman," Bieber said on "Today".
Matt Pare and Lance Rogers, Yeater’s legal team, visited the "Dr. Drew" show on Thursday night, and seemed confident in their client’s story. After being asked if they were prepared for Yeater’s story to prove false and a lawsuit from Bieber’s camp taking place as a result, the pair claimed, they had evidence that did not make that scenario a possibility.
"We think that's highly unlikely based on the evidence we have, not all of which has been released to the media, by any means," Pare said. "There's credible evidence that supports he is the father."
Pare also spoke about a possible statutory rape case if the baby proved to be Bieber’s.
"Here is another thing that's legally significant. Under California law, the difference in age is less than three years – then it is only a misdemeanor,” Pare said. “If that's the case, she may be on the hook for misdemeanor; $5,000 penalty."
Yeater, who filed papers in a San Diego court, is asking for child support and a paternity test. The hearing is Dec. 15.
