Victim's mother describes 'devastation' to Westmont offender

CAMDEN - A Westmont man accused of secretly filming a naked teenager took much more than a photograph, the girl's mother said Friday.

"My daughter's life was forever altered," the mother said in an angry and anguished statement at a sentencing hearing for 53-year-old Mark Parker.

"Where else in the world can a 16-year-old girl feel safe if it’s not in her own personal bedroom?" asked the mother, almost spitting the last words at Parker.

"The defendant took that from her and he took it from us," she said. "He violated her safe home and that's unforgivable."

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In a criminal complaint, authorities alleged Parker filmed the girl through her bedroom window in Westmont earlier this year.

Parker, an artist and the married father of two, was also accused of engaging in sexual activity during an online video chat with another female minor.

He pleaded guilty in June to one count of endangering the welfare of a child by making child pornography.

Police said the girl was filmed on April 17 of this year. Detectives found the recording after a Delaware River Port Authority police officer seized Parker's phone on April 19 during an unrelated arrest for an invasion-of-privacy charge.

The girl and her family learned of the video on May 1 when detectives from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office knocked on their door.

The impact of that discovery has been "devastating," the mother said.

She noted her daughter has missed many social events due to stress or concern over what her friends might know or think about her, has canceled baby-sitting jobs because she's afraid to be alone and avoids standing in front of windows.

"She dresses differently," the mother continued. "I’ve had to bring sweatshirts to school because she doesn’t want anyone looking at her.”

"Sports and academics are slowly taking a second (place) to all the mental health work that my daughter now needs," the mother said.

The Courier-Post is not identifying the mother to protect the privacy of the victim.

In remarks that continued for more than 10 minutes, the mother noted Parker knew her family.

"This man coached my daughter. We spoke on the sidelines and we watched her play," the mother said.

"You were wrong and awful," she told Parker, who looked down at the defendant's table.

Under terms of a plea agreement, Superior Court Judge John Kelley sentenced Parker to a seven-year term with no parole eligibility at a state prison for repetitive and compulsive sex offenders.

Parker also must register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and will have parole supervision for life.

Defense attorney Jill Cohen noted Parker had been active in his community, providing artwork and other charitable services "translating into thousands of dollars."

"His wife and sons and his whole family have suffered immensely from his actions," said Cohen, who also noted Parker had identified the victim for investigators.

In remarks before he was sentenced, Parker said, "I think my heart is in the right place but I don't think my head was, or still is."

Parker said he took "full responsibility" for his actions, adding "something must have been way off."

"I need treatment for that," he said, describing himself as "a kind and gentle guy."

Parker began his comments by expressing gratitude to his family, his lawyer and the law enforcement community, saying he "couldn't be happier" with how he'd been treated.

"Through treatment and prayer, I hope to become completely rehabilitated and never offend again," he said.

Parker ended with an apology to the teenager, who was not present, and her family.

"They're wonderful people," he said. "It broke my heart to hear her read that statement."

"I know that the victim's family said that they won't forgive me, but maybe one day," he said as the girl's mother shook her head in disagreement.

The mother had said earlier that the violation of her family "is permanent, unlike your time in jail."

"The impact is like a giant, ugly tattoo," she said as her voice quavered. "You can hide it, cover it up, but it’s still there and it’s really hard and a long process to get it removed."

"It’s a reminder of the loss of innocence and the unfairness of life."

Jim Walsh: @jimwalsh_cp; 856-486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com

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