Molly Shattuck sentenced in rape case

A former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader who pleaded guilty to fourth-degree rape charges was sentenced to two years probation and 48 nonconsecutive weekends at a prison treatment facility.

Molly Shattuck, 48, said she was sorry for her actions and apologized to the teenage boy with whom she had an illicit sexual relationship. She also apologized to the boy’s family, who were also in the courtroom.

“I was the adult. I never should have had conversations with someone else’s son,” Shattuck said. “I will spend the rest of my life making this right.”

Shattuck was very emotional, even before she entered Delaware Superior Court in Georgetown. Arriving with family members, Shattuck was clearly shaken as she walked the gauntlet of television crews, many from Baltimore, and then into the courthouse, where she was shaking as she passed through the metal detectors at the entrance.

In the courtroom, Shattuck fell to her knees in prayer before Judge E. Scott Bradley entered, wept as she spoke and after the sentencing, collapsed to the floor. However, she stood and left the courtroom unaided.

Shattuck was arrested in November after police said she provided alcohol to minors and had sex with a 15-year-old boy over Labor Day weekend in Bethany Beach. Shattuck was well-known in the Baltimore area for being the oldest member of the Ravens cheerleading squad, as well as for being married to former Constellation Energy CEO Mayo Shattuck. She has three children, ages 16, 14 and 12.

Shattuck’s attorney, Eugene Maurer, said the relationship between Shattuck and the boy came at a difficult time in her life. He said her husband had left her abruptly for a younger woman, her son had contracted a serious illness and her sister was struggling with substance abuse.

Maurer said Shattuck gradually has accepted responsibility for her actions. He said the relationship between Shattuck and the boy was not a case of grooming a victim; he said the relationship was more like an adult one. Maurer said Shattuck has no history of sexual abuse against a minor, and doctors determined during pre-sentencing investigation that she was not a high risk for recidivism.

“This has been devastating to all people involved in this on both sides,” Maurer said.

In asking for probation, Maurer said Shattuck was no threat to society and that she has been punished enough by the public humiliation and media attention the case has raised.

The boy’s mother and father however painted a different story. His mother started by calling Shattuck a criminal and an admitted rapist and said Shattuck caused her son to become quiet, somber and untrusting of others.

“She stole his innocence,” the boy’s mother said. “She must be held accountable.”

The boy’s father said he was struggling with how this could have happened. He said he had driven his son to Shattuck’s home, and she assured him  no alcohol or drugs were in the house. He said the worst he worried about at the time was the kids sneaking out. The boy’s father said Shattuck groomed his son like a predator.

After the incident, the boy’s father said, he ran into Shattuck socially.

“That woman stood right next to me after she raped my son and continued having a relationship with him for four months,” he said.

Prosecutor John Donahue said Shattuck preyed upon a 15-year-old boy.

“She groomed him, seduced him and supplied him with alcohol all for her own gratification,” Donahue said.

Donahue asked Bradley to have Shattuck incarcerated.

After admitting it was a difficult case, Bradley sentenced Shattuck to a suspended 15-year sentence, with 48 weekends within a prison treatment facility. The weekends will start next month and will take place every other weekend. Afterwards, Shattuck will serve two years of probation. She must also register as a sex offender, pay $10,000 in restitution and have no contact with a minor other than her own children.

Following sentencing, Maurer said while Shattuck will have to do some prison time, she will at least be able to see her children during the week.