Woman sentenced to prison in connection with child rape

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts woman who authorities say drove a child to and from a home where she was raped in 2017 has pleaded guilty.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that Claire Poole, of Monson, pleaded guilty Wednesday to accessory before the fact of rape and abuse of a child under the age of 16.

Officials say the 41-year-old Poole knew the female victim and drove her to and from a 74-year-old man’s home in Ware twice.

Poole was sentenced to 8 to 8 ½ years in state prison for each count and will also serve a 10 ½-year federal sentence on charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

Poole says she never encouraged the victim to do anything even though she knew why she was driving her to the home.

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Information from: Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, Mass.), http://www.gazettenet.com