And yet, if a 16 year old gang member broke into your house, and put a bullet through the head of one of your family members, you'd expect them to be tried in court as an adult!
Society cannot have it both ways. Either a 16 year old is capable and knows what they're doing, or they're completely negligent of responsibility.
The woman was not a "child", and yes she's an opportunist who's spotted a pay day.
EDIT: I see you're a Yank also. Might interest you to know that the age of consent in the UK is 16 (a nation of nonces I guess). Not sure what it is in California now or in whatever state you're from.