Tina Ketcham, a 40-year-old woman from Oregon, was charged with committing hundreds of instances of rape on an underage child. She faced six charges of first-degree rape, two instances of first-degree sex abuse, one act of first-degree sodomy, and six additional sex offenses, which are all “measure 11” offenses in Oregon, carrying a mandatory minimum prison sentence of several years. Despite pleading not guilty, Ketcham faced a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
During a hearing, Prosecutor Keith Stein stated that hundreds of charges could have been made against Ketcham, as the alleged abuse occurred over a five-year period before her victim was able to contact the authorities. Although the relationship between Ketcham and her victim was not disclosed, it was revealed that the victim knew her at the time of the assaults.
Ketcham sought to be released on bail, maintaining her innocence. Her lawyer, Stephen Doyle, argued that Ketcham’s ownership of a local business made her a minimal flight risk. Moreover, she had no criminal record, and her lawyer claimed that granting her bail would enable her to undergo treatment sessions. However, the judge did not appear to agree.
After Ketcham’s plea for bail was rejected by the judge, she was later discovered dead in her cell. The cause of her death remains unclear, although it is known that her request for bail was turned down. This case underscores the severe repercussions of sexual assault and emphasizes the need to safeguard victims and ensure that offenders are held responsible for their actions.
During her bail hearing, Tina Ketcham, who faced numerous allegations of sexually assaulting a child, had her request for a reduction in bail from $350,000 to $50,000 denied by the court. She could have faced decades in prison if she was found guilty, but even so, she may not have had to spend an extended amount of time incarcerated. Tragically, she was later found dead in her cell at Linn County Jail.
After being in custody for just over two weeks, Tina Ketcham, who had been accused of several child sex offenses, took her own life. Unfortunately, this was not unexpected, as Ketcham had previously attempted suicide when the Albany police investigation began. Despite being placed in protective custody and isolated in a cell, she was not under suicide watch, as Sheriff Yon confirmed that she had not exhibited any distress signals while in custody.
According to Sheriff Yon, inmates who exhibit suicidal behavior are put under suicide watch. Ketcham’s lawyer protested this, contending that his client should have been placed under suicide watch. However, there are those who argue that jails are meant to keep criminals safe from other inmates, not from themselves. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that many people will lament the death of a suspected child abuser who chose to end her own life rather than face justice.