I don't understand why our government continues to get away doing what they are doing? I don't know the American laws, nor do I really want to, but going through the process with my husband makes no sense. Why can't American's fight back, and say enough is enough? Why can't we have a say in laws. I just don't get it.

im deeply sorry for your family and your son . i understand your pain but do to the stigma with being a sex offender every one is lumped in to one group .please stay strong hes going to need your sport even when he gets out my brother is in such pain i hope you all well and god bless your family

This story has been popping up quite a bit. I've seen it on several of my Facebook groups (I know, eye roll and groan). The overall consensus is that they feel bad for the guy but he should still be punished. I think the girl should be punished as well. I don't think he should be labeled. I don't think most of these people should have this label.

One of my favorite comments was they looked up sex offenders in their area and they had no idea! I commented see, you didn't even know or care until some one said something and you looked. Does this change anything?

It is sort of ridiculous some of the points of views I see. I keep my comments to myself, but the one I made about the registry had quite a good response.

The government gets away with it because they want to get votes so they can get into office. That is my take on it. Lets make tougher laws on people so that we look better. Kind of sick in my opinion.

The comments I've seen us outrage that the kid is on the registry. Many people see that he doesn't belong on the registry, that it was the girl's fault. If any there were going to be any repercussions, it should be the girl to receive them.

Tides are changing..,,

Heartbroken.....why not try?! If there's any bandwagon to jump on it's this one!

Yes, the tides are changing.

One thing that keeps coming to my mind is, did the general public really want people like this on the registry in the first place? Do they really care if some one was using the bathroom in a bush? I don't know many people who actually place the teenage lovers in the sex offender category or mistakes like this.

NO! The general public has put NO thought into the registry at all. Politicians, over the years, have spewed random nonsense about "being tough on crime" and "protecting our kids" so people would vote for them. The general public has no clue what the criminal justice system does to boys and men accused of a sex offense. And no one really cares either, until it happens to someone they love and they are plunged into this nightmare. I am SO happy this family is making such a stink and hope many others do too.

My heart hurts for this kid. 200,000 people on the registry for what they did as teenagers. It's just unbelievable.

WanderingAround: that is why I made the comment about people not knowing until they looked. Honestly, I had almost no thoughts about sex offenders growing up. Around 20 years old I had a friend that was on the registry and a very good friend of mine was convicted of CP. I have been abused sexually and still I didn't have much of an opinion on them. I just didn't care.

I know politicians use them as a tool to get themselves votes and it is disgusting. The criminal justice system is so messed up. I've known this for years, before ever having to deal with this first hand.

I am very happy this family is bringing this to light! It NEEDS to be.

Wandering, I am going to see about sending CNN a message and see if they get back in touch with me. It cannot hurt, right?

Its a shame because no one knows the reasons why the majority of these people are on the registry until they get on it. I think the politicians definitely use this to their advantage because they want to look like they are going to save our children but this is not the case. And they do not dare say that its because of youngsters having sex. They make it look like they are MONSTERS! Like they are going to rape even their own siblings. Its horrible how they keep the Public in the Dark for their Own Selves. Just for Votes! :-(