In Matter of Barnhart, 12-07-13 (4-14-2008)

OPINION

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant John Barnhart Jr. ("Barnhart") brings this appeal from the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Putnam County, Juvenile Division adjudicating him as a delinquent after he was found guilty of rape. For the reasons discussed below, the judgment is affirmed.

{¶ 2} On May 1, 2007, Barnhart was indicted on one charge of rape with a specification that he qualified as a serious youthful offender. The charge was based on the fact that the victim was a young woman with mild to severe mental retardation. The relationship between the victim and Barnhart came to light…