Just for context, Beatrice is about 2 hours from where I live, small town middle America. I copied the article for you.

A Beatrice man was sentenced to probation this week for having a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl.

Schad Myers, 20, was sentenced in Gage County District Court on Tuesday to five years of probation for possession of child pornography and three years probation for third-degree sexual assault of a child. The two sentences will be served consecutively, totaling eight years of probation.

Myers was previously scheduled for sentencing two weeks ago, though after hearing arguments judge Rick Schreiner postponed pronouncing a sentence for two weeks to allow time to consider the case.

Prosecutors argued that Myers took advantage of the girl and requested a prison sentence. Defense attorney Lee Timan asked for a sentence of probation, saying the Myers was not preying on the girl. Their relationship was romantic in nature, he said.

According to arrest documents, a Beatrice Middle School student reported to a counselor that the victim was in a relationship with a 20-year-old man.

Authorities were contacted and the school resource officer spoke with the victim, who said she was involved in a sexual relationship with Myers.

Documents state that Myers was contacted and eventually admitted to having a sexual relationship with the girl that he said was consensual.

He acknowledged having intercourse with the girl at least four times since November 2018 in his residence.

The child pornography charge stemmed from a video found on Myers’ phone.

@HippieChick58 Thank you. Today, twelve is far too young for any sexial activity and transgressors should indeed be penalised far more than by mere probation.
However, did you know that Mohammed's wife was only 12 when they married, or that in Massachusetts "in exceptional circumstances" girls may marry at the age of 12. I believe Iran still allows girls to be married as young as 9. In Nigeria it is 11.
Even Spain, until very recently, allowed marriage at age 14.

@Petter Just because it is legal doesn't mean it is right, slavery used to be legal. Yes, I know they're marrying off girls very young which does not benefit the girls at all.

@HippieChick58 I agree wholeheartedly, but that still begs the question of exactly what SHOULD be the age of consent. How old were you? How old were your friends? At what ages did you and your friends start to feel a sexual urge? It is different for every woman. However, legislation insists on a "one size fits all" decree. What do you feel that age should be?
I personally feel there should be a preliminary age of consent based on age differences. ie. Two 14 year olds, but not 14 and 20. etc
CONSENT being paramount!

@Petter Yes, the age difference concerns me, and yes individuals mature at different rates. When my girls were in Junior high and high school, so 13 to 18, we told them they could date boys in the same grade they were, not older,, and that pretty much worked until they started working and driving. When did I first start feeling sexual urges. Not a clue, but you don't know all my background and we don't have time for it here and that would explain a ton. I fully agree that children need to be taught about consent, and we honor SamSam's desires not to be hugged, held, or kissed. She's two and a half, but it is her body and she is in charge of her person. Where I live legal age is 19, however, 25 miles away in another state legal age is 18. That matters to my job for what I can discuss with parents regarding medical billing for their children. If that 19 year old doesn't sign the papers, I can't tell mom or dad anything. When I was 18 I joined the Army. I could drink alcohol on any US Military base. If I went off post I may or may not be able to drink depending on state laws.