Legal Marriage Age

Ga. Child Groom Runs Away From Group Home

By CHARLES ODUM

ATLANTA (AP) - A 15-year-old boy whose 37-year-old wife is due to give birth to the couple's baby this month has run away from a group home, and his wife through her lawyer says she has no idea where he is.

Lisa Clark, who is due to give birth Feb. 20, was ``surprised and concerned'' by her young husband's disappearance last Friday, her attorney, Daniel Sammons, said. ``She has no knowledge of his whereabouts.''

The boy's grandmother, however, believes the wife was involved. ``I think she's got him hidden out someplace,'' Judy Hayles told The Associated Press on Thursday.

She said the boy told his roommate that someone was picking him up and the boy left without shoes, jacket or money.

``That was his goal, to get with her,'' Hayles said. ``They were just obsessed with having him there when the baby is born.''

Sammons said he did not know when the wife last had contact with the boy, who was removed from his grandmother's custody in late November.

Producers of ``The Tyra Banks Show,'' on which Clark was to appear Friday in an interview taped earlier, said Clark denied in a telephone interview Thursday that she had anything to do with his disappearance.

``I have not seen him or spoken to him at all,'' she said.

Clark and the youth, identified in juvenile court only as ``A.S.G.,'' married in November. After being charged with child molestation for her relationship with the boy - her teenage son's best friend - Clark was released on bond on condition that she not have contact with him.

Clark has said she still hopes to make a life with the boy and their baby.

Prosecutor Lee Darragh refused to comment on the boy's disappearance or the grandmother's comments.

It's like Nip/Tuck! So, this got me thinking, what kind of age requirements are there for marriage. Interestingly, in Georgia, where this took place, the law is as follows:

'Georgia: If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may apply if accompanied by both parents who have given written consent. If the bride is pregnant, no parental consent is required if you submit a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the bride is pregnant.'

The kid was 15, so I guess the pregnant clause worked. I wonder if it would work if he was 13 and she was pregnant?

For Colorado, our law is such:

Colorado: If you are 16 or 17, you will need consent of both parents (or parent having legal custody), or guardian, or seek judicial approval. If you are under 16, a Judicial Court Order along with parental consent is necessary.

Which I think is pretty fair. But surprisingly, the state with the strictest law is:

Mississippi: Parental consent is needed if under 21 years of age. If parents or guardians do not give consent at time of application, they will be notified via certified mail. The marriage application will be held for three (3) days. Marriage licenses cannot be issued to males under 17, or females under 15 years of age. If the clerk receives a signed authorization from the parents, this minimum age requirement can be waived.

Which goes against stereotypical wisdom of people in the southern states marrying their cousin Jolene at age 14.