Ex-cheerleader Molly Shattuck faces rape charge over boy, aged 15

A former cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens American football team has been charged with having sex with a boy, 15, who attends school with at least one of her children.

A grand jury in the US state of Delaware indicted Molly Shattuck, 47, on two counts of third-degree rape, four counts of unlawful sexual contact and three counts of providing alcohol to minors, Delaware police officer Paul Shavack said. She was released on bail of US$84,000.

Defence lawyer Eugene Maurer said Shattuck, the estranged wife of a prominent energy executive, has pleaded not guilty. Her next court appearance will be at a December 15 case review.

"Like anybody who would be charged with an offence of this nature, she is quite distraught and dealing with it the best she can," Maurer added. "Obviously, she's very upset about it."

On September 26, a boy told police that Shattuck began an inappropriate relationship with him near Baltimore and that it culminated with sexual activity at a holiday home in August, Shavack said.

The indictment alleges that Shattuck provided alcohol to three boys on August 30 and August 31. It charges that she had sexual contact with one boy about August 31, over the Labour Day weekend.