Mariah Yeater, the 20-year-old who recently filed a paternity suit against pop singer Justin Bieber, may become the target of a criminal investigation.
Yeater is claiming that she had an intimate encounter with Bieber at Los Angeles's Staples Center, which ultimately resulted in the birth of her child.
However, since Bieber would only have been 16 years of age at the time the alleged incident would have taken place, Yeater could be charged with a crime. Yeater would have been 19 years old.
This means that under California law the alleged circumstances, which are set forth in the court documents of the paternity suit, may lay the groundwork for a statutory rape charge.
Additionally, however, since Yeater was an adult who was no more than three years older than the victim, the possible crime would be a misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to one year in jail.
Documents filed in San Diego Superior Court request that a paternity test be conducted, and, depending on the test results, financial support for the child from the very wealthy Bieber be imposed.
Los Angeles Police Commander Andrew Smith told the Associated Press that the department may open a criminal investigation.
“If it’s brought to our attention, of course we’ll look into it,” Smith told the AP.
Yeater’s suit claims that the singer of the “Baby” mega-hit tune is the father of her 3-month-old son, Tristyn Anthony Markhouse Yeater.
Bieber made a Friday appearance on NBC’s “Today” show and responded to questions about the Yeager allegations.
“Never met the woman,” Bieber said.
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.