Sitter now charged in assault on toddler

Last month, a baby sitter complained that Anoka police didn't respond promptly to her complaints about her ex-boyfriend sending her sexually explicit text messages. Now the sitter faces a felony charge in the alleged molestation of a 2-year-old girl that followed the messages.

Heather A. Peterson, 20, has been charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct -- soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct, according to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.

The allegation adds another twist to a disturbing tale that ended with the little girl's molestation.

"I thought for sure there was no crime in trying to get someone put away for something disgusting and vile," Peterson, who is out on bail, said.

"But it looks like I was wrong," she said.

For hours one day last month, Peterson exchanged text messages with Andrew J. Cordie of Ramsey while baby-sitting with 2-year-old twins at her friend's Anoka house.

After his texts turned disturbingly explicit -- he said he wanted to have sex with Peterson, the twins and their mother -- Peterson said she called police, who later said they didn't respond because no crime had been committed, at least not yet.

Later, about 6 p.m., Cordie arrived at the house. Peterson later told police that she saw Cordie sexually assault the girl using his mouth and finger. According to a March 12 complaint, he admitted to molesting one of the twins, although he denied that he did so orally.

Cordie faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

"I don't think that [Peterson] was forthcoming from the beginning," Anoka Police Chief Philip Johanson said late Monday. "This charge is really a result of that. It's a very tragic case."

Peterson's first court appearance is May 15.

Jenna Ross • 612-673-7168