Man, mother each charged with first-degree rape in Cole County

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two people have been charged with felonies after authorities claim a Jefferson City mother gave alcohol to her child and provided the youth to a 32-year-old man.

Michael Alexander, 32, of Jefferson City, was charged on Thursday in Cole County with first-degree rape, while Lorretta Wilhelm, 40, also of Jefferson City, was charged with first-degree rape and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Both people are being held at the Cole County Jail without bond and arraignments were scheduled for Friday morning.

The probable cause statement says the father of the victim called police on Dec. 14 after learning his child was sexually abused the night before.

Wilhelm allegedly picked up the victim from a friend’s home on Dec. 13, gave the child alcohol, picked up Alexander and rented a hotel room for the two, court documents say. The victim had allegedly vomited from being intoxicated before entering the hotel room, the statement says.  

An older sibling of the victim went to the hotel to take the victim away after learning they were there, the statement says. The victim allegedly told the sibling they had intercourse with Alexander, the statement says.

Wilhelm allegedly admitted to having alcohol in her vehicle, but denied handing booze to the youth, the statement says. She also allegedly denied knowing Alexander’s age, according to court documents.

Alexander denied having a sexual encounter with the youth, according to court documents.

Video from the hotel allegedly showed Wilhelm paying for a room and Alexander carrying the victim to the room, the statement says.