Daisy Coleman Rape Case: Matthew Barnett Pleads Guilty To Misdemeanor Charge, Victim Is 'Ready To Move Forward'

Matthew Barnett, 19-year-old accused of raping Daisy Coleman, pleaded guilty on a misdemeanor child endangerment charge on Thursday.

Barnett was sentenced to two years of probation, according to multiple reports. The allegations against Barnett caught the attention of national media headlines when Coleman, the alleged victim, came forward to the Kansas City Star with her story.

Coleman and her family alleged they were victims of harassment, bullying and the law in Marville, MO. Coleman's mother, Melinda Coleman, claimed the sexual assault case against Barnett was dropped due to political favoritism because his grandfather was a four-term Missouri state representative. The prosecutors on the case denied the allegations.

Coleman and her mother released the following statement about the Barnett's ruling, according to CNN:

"Today I am grateful that the defendant took responsibility by pleading guilty to the charges. I am ready to move forward," Coleman said.

"I hope that today's resolution of this criminal case brings some closure for my family, especially my children, and for the community," Melinda said.

Coleman was recently hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt, according to FOX 4 News. It is reportedly her third attempt to take her own life since the alleged rape occured, as she has openly discussed her psychological struggles in a blog post of XOJane.com in October 2013:

"Why would I even want to believe in a God? Why would a God even allow this to happen? I lost all faith in religion and humanity. I saw myself as ugly, inside and out. If I was this ugly on the inside, then why shouldn't everyone see the ugly I saw? I burned and carved the ugly I saw into my arms, wrists, legs and anywhere I could find room. On Twitter and Facebook, I was called a skank and a liar and people encouraged me to kill myself. Twice, I did try to take my own life."