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BRIGHAM CITY — A Perry woman accused of taking and selling nude photographs of her young daughter has pleaded guilty as part of an agreement with prosecutors.
Starla Rae McCabe, 46, was originally charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony. She pleaded guilty Wednesday to three reduced counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, a third-degree felony.
McCabe was arrested last year after a relative discovered nude photographs of the child on the girl's Nintendo DSI, according to a search warrant affidavit. Three days later, the child was interviewed by the Division of Child and Family Services and told a caseworker that McCabe had taken "loads" of pictures of the child "without any clothes on" and that her mother "would then show the pictures to men," the affidavit states.
The child, who is now 6 years old, also said the mother "printed the pictures and sold them to people for $100," another court document states.
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Utah mom accused of selling nude photos of young child
A mother with a history of drug abuse is accused of taking and selling nude photos of her grade-school-aged child.McCabe has a history of drug charges in Utah, according to state court records.
Charges of obstruction of justice and failure to report child abuse filed against the girl's father, Brian Dean Raehal, were dismissed in March after prosecutors filed a motion saying they didn't intend to pursue the charges so that the girl would not be required to testify, according to court records.
Prosecutors reported that the girl was "severely traumatized" and was undergoing counseling, and testifying in court could inflict further damage. If the child is later able to testify, charges may be re-filed, the motion notes.
Raehal, 56, told investigators he was unaware of the photos and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
McCabe remained in custody Friday in Box Elder County Jail. She is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 14. Each of the charges against McCabe carries a potential maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
