Lawyers for Woman Accused in Molestation of Boy Deny Allegations

Lawyers for a Santa Ana woman arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 13-year-old boy spoke out Tuesday, denying the allegations and imploring the news media to be sensitive in their portrayals of her.

“One of the things we learn as children is that we don’t talk about people’s mothers,” attorney Richard D. Ackerman said of Heather Jean Graham, a mother of three. “There are three children involved here, and this is not a positive experience for them. She did not do it, she is a good mother, and we ask that you stop talking about her.”

Graham, 35, was arrested last week on suspicion of felony child molestation for allegedly having sex with an eighth-grader at Willard Intermediate School in Santa Ana, where she was a parent volunteer. After being booked into the Santa Ana Jail, she was released on $50,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment Dec. 7.

No charges have been filed--a point that Graham’s attorneys were quick to make in asking the media and the public to back off.

“The Grahams are together as a family, supporting each other,” attorney Keith E. Dolnick said during a news conference at his office in Fullerton.

“It is requested by the Grahams that the public keep an open mind and not judge Mrs. Graham until all the facts are on the table. The Grahams would also request that during this time the people and the media respect the privacy of the Graham children.”

Those children--all teenagers--have not been at school since their mother was arrested last Friday, said Dolnick, who described himself as a longtime friend of the family in addition to being Heather Graham’s lawyer.

“The children,” he said, “love their mother very much and are standing by her side. Mrs. Graham has no prior record except as a loving mother and wife who was involved in her children’s activities as a PTA president and as a constant volunteer who helped out during band, fund-raisers and other school events.”

Santa Ana Police Sgt. Steve Despenas said Tuesday that police are still gathering evidence in the case and that the Orange County district attorney’s office has until the arraignment date to file charges. Graham was arrested, he said, based on statements made by the alleged victim.

Graham’s attorneys said they are “piecing everything together” with the family and will be contacting the district attorney’s office Thursday to discuss the case.

“She is a good person, a great mother, and I am shocked by these allegations,” Dolnick said.

Times staff writer Richard Marosi contributed to this report.