DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — A woman convicted of attempting to use her daughter as a prostitute was sentenced Monday, Oct. 20, to 18 months in prison.

"I don't get it," Judge A.J. Wagner of Montgomery County Common Pleas Court told Rachel White, also known as Rachel Lakes. "I don't understand you."

The charge, attempted compelling prostitution of a minor, is a fourth-degree felony for which the maximum penalty is 18 months.

Wagner also sentenced her to 180 days on a misdemeanor count of child endangering, though that will be served concurrently with the other sentence, which Wagner said was required by law.

However the 18 months will be served consecutively to the one-year term Wagner gave White after she violated her probation on a drug charge.

White, 39, angered Wagner when she insisted she was not convicted of prostituting her daughter, just attempting to do so.

"Attempting to whore out your daughter," Wagner said. "It's disgusting."

"Absolutely," White said.

"Good," Wagner said. "I'm glad you understand that."

Wagner designated White a Tier 2 sex offender, requiring sheriff's office notification every 180 days for 25 years after her release from prison.

According to the county sheriff's office, detectives working in Harrison Twp. received tips that a woman was using her minor daughter in prostitution at hotels. Undercover officers went to a local hotel on April 21 and arrested White and Michael Melvin.

The daughter was placed with the Children Services Division of Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services.

The daughter, who was 17 at the time, was in the courtroom Monday but did not say anything.

Melvin, 41, pleaded guilty July 3 to compelling prostitution of a minor. Wagner sentenced him July 21 to a year in prison.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2057 or lgrieco@DaytonDailyNews.com.