Grand Jury Probes Teenage Weddings

The Orange County Grand Jury is investigating the practice of social workers helping some pregnant teenage girls under the county’s protection marry the adult men who impregnated them, county officials and sources close to the panel confirmed Thursday. The panel’s probe centers on whether the underage girls’ interests are being protected and whether law enforcement officials are appropriately dealing with the adult men, who might otherwise be prosecuted on statutory rape or child abuse charges. Larry M. Leaman, director of the Orange County Social Services Agency, could not be reached for comment Thursday. He has confirmed that about 15 adolescent girls taken into protective custody have been helped to marry or resume living with adult men who made them pregnant.