Couple charged with criminal sexual conduct

HASTINGS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A woman and her boyfriend have been charged with criminal sexual conduct in Hastings.

Prosecutors tell us Hastings police were called to a home for a domestic dispute and the victim's mother told them her daughter was also being abused.

"A complaint was made of police as they were taking action about touching by Mr. Smelser on the child so the next day police went back - because it was just said in passing - to investigate," said Barry Co. Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Banister.

That's when Hastings police charged 49-year-old Robert Smelser with two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second degree CSC.

Police believe the abuse started in July after he met the victim's mother on the Internet and Smelser moved to Hastings from Colorado.

The seven-year-old victim's mother, who Newschannel 3 has chosen not to identify to protect the victim, has also been charged with one count of second degree CSC for knowing about the crimes.

"There were some things that she did, there's an issue of control with this man and it was quite planned out," said Banister.

The two suspects waived their preliminary hearings Wednesday and will be in court in the coming weeks. We will bring you the latest info when it becomes available.