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Husband Of Bellefontaine Woman Accused In Sons' Death Admits To Sex Charge

Licking County Sheriff's Office

The husband of a woman accused of killing their three sons has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge to having sex with his wife before they were married when she was underage.

Forty-four-year-old Joseph Pilkington pleaded guilty Monday to sexual imposition and must register as a convicted sex offender annually for the next 15 years.

The Buckeye Lake man had originally been charged with sexual battery for beginning a sexual relationship with Brittany Pilkington and impregnating her in 2009, when she was 17.

The now-24-year-old Brittany Pilkington is charged with aggravated murder and could face a death sentence if convicted of killing their sons. She's accused of suffocating them out of jealously at the attention her husband gave them and has pleaded not guilty. 

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