Charity Mathews

William Sackett





A Remus couple accused of raping a babysitter and another girl could face life in prison.

Charity Mathews, 22, and William Sackett, 42, of the Remus area were ordered by 77th District Judge Susan Grant to stand trial during a hearing Tuesday.

Mathews is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim less than 12 years old, third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim between 13 and 15, and possession of child pornography, Mecosta County Sheriff’s Sgt. Casey Nemeth said.

Sackett is charged with first-degree CSC and possession of child pornography, Nemeth said.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration against a child under 13 is punishable by any term of years up to and including life; third-degree CSC and possession of child pornography are 15-year felonies.

A trial date has not been set, according to court records.

Mathews and Sackett are accused of giving alcohol to their 12-year-old babysitter and her 13-year-old friend at their home July 4 prior to the alleged rapes, Nemeth said.

Both Mathews and Sackett are accused of raping the 12-year-old; Mathews is alleged to have raped the 13-year-old, Nemeth said.

The two girls had asked if they could spend the night at Mathews’ and Sackett’s Wheatland Township home, which was not uncommon, Nemeth said.

Mathews and Sackett, who have two young children who have been removed from their home by the Michigan Department of Human Services, are also accused of having child pornography on a computer that was taken by police shortly after the investigation of the couple began in July, Nemeth said.

Electronic devices taken by a deputy from the couple’s home have been sent to the state police Crime Lab in Lansing, Nemeth said.

Both Mathews and Sackett are free on bond, Nemeth said.