Mother Learns Fate After Conviction For Sexually Assaulting Her Own Child

SMITHFIELD – A 35 year-old Kenly woman was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting her own child.

Crystal Darlene Benson self-reported the crime to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office in November 2024 and was arrested the same day.

On August 6, 2025, Benson pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree statutory sex offense and one count of first-degree sexual exploitation of a child. The crimes were committed against the defendant’s four-year-old son. The crimes occurred at the residence of the minor child and the defendant.

Benson was sentenced to a minimum of 16.6 years to a maximum of 25 years in prison. Upon her release, she will be required to register as a convicted sex offender and a permanent no contact order with minor victim was issued.

Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Slavin prosecuted the case. “We are pleased that the Defendant has been held accountable for her crimes against her son. This plea will allow the family of the minor victim to focus on the well-being of the child outside of the court system and prevent the child from testifying about this very personal and degrading abuse.”

District Attorney Jason Waller added, “These types of cases are extremely complicated to prosecute as we must balance the need to hold defendants accountable and try to prevent this type of heinous act from ever happening again, while also doing our best not to revictimize young, innocent victims. In this case, the perpetrator received a substantial prison sentence due to thorough investigation and cooperation with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.”

At the time of the offense, Benson was employed as a daycare worker, but the criminal act had no connection with the daycare.