April M. Fronick • Editor
april@thepeoplestribune.com
A Bowling Green couple who pleaded guilty to forcing their 12-year-old child to participate in sexual acts will serve prison time for their crimes.
William Fockler, 41, and Erin Fockler, 30, were sentenced in Pike County Court on Monday for the crimes perpetrated upon Erin Fockler’s 12-year-old daughter who lived with the couple. The couple also had an eight-year-old son. Both children have been placed in foster care.
The initial incident took place on March 27. It was revealed the couple forced the minor to take part in sexual acts as the couple watched a pornographic movie. It was further revealed William Fockler engaged in sexual acts with the child on two other occasions.
Pike County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Fisher noted the couple didn’t take the child’s life, but took her innocence.
Judge Dan Dildine ordered William Fockler to terms of 20 years and seven years to run concurrently in the Missouri Department of Corrections. On Sept. 14, he pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree sodomy and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Erin Fockler, the victim’s mother, was ordered to terms of 12 years and seven years to run concurrently in the Missouri Department of Corrections. On Sept. 28, she pleaded guilty to one count of first degree sodomy and one county endangering the welfare of a child.