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Babysitter's chilling defense while facing sex crimes charge after child's mom found disturbing thing on phone
The attorney representing a New Jersey woman accused of sexually assaulting a two-year-old girl has argued that the allegations have been exaggerated, claiming the child's behavior was misunderstood rather than criminal.
During a detention hearing, 25-year-old Victoria Cranmer became emotional as a judge ordered that she remain in custody without bail over what he described as a "bizarre" and "troubling" incident that allegedly took place on May 6.
The incident that took place
According to the Asbury Park Press, prosecutors claim Cranmer was caring for the toddler at the child's home while the girl's mother was away when the alleged assault occurred.
Cranmer's lawyer, Marissa Koerner, maintained that the 14-second Snapchat video at the center of the case captured an "innocent moment" rather than evidence of a crime.
What has been said?
"Anyone who has spent time caring for young children understands that children often have little appreciation for personal space or privacy," Koerner said.
"Young children routinely follow parents or caregivers into bathrooms, touch things, ask questions, are curious and fail to recognize ordinary social boundaries."
Prosecutor Lynn Juan told the court that the footage showed Cranmer sitting on a toilet while laughing as the child allegedly touched her.
Koerner argued that the child's actions were typical of a young toddler, saying: "Children often engage in funny, spontaneous or strange behavior that adults record because the moment is memorable or humorous."
She added: "The video has been blown out of proportion."
However, Ocean County Judge Kenneth Palmer rejected that argument, describing the footage as deeply concerning.
"The word to describe it is bizarre," Palmer said.
"I find it to be troubling there wasn't any attempt to stop the child from touching her."
Court documents state that the alleged offence came to light after a friend, with whom Cranmer had reportedly been living for around three months, reclaimed a phone they had purchased for her.
According to the filing, Cranmer had been living with the childhood friend who gave her a place to stay, bought her an iPhone 17 Pro and set her up with cell service in April for her birthday.
The friend also allowed Cranmer to babysit her child. But after Cranmer was kicked out in early May, she was told to return the phone. The device was left in the woman’s mailbox, the documents allege, and it had no passcode.
When the friend checked the phone, she allegedly found a 14-second Snapchat video showing Cranmer in a bathroom with a young child touching her while she sat on the toilet. The court papers say Cranmer could be heard laughing and taunting the child in the clip.
Investigators say the friend was able to identify Cranmer in the footage through several distinctive tattoos, including a crudely drawn image of breasts and other tattoos visible on her legs, according to court filings.













