From the perspective of an abused kid, deflecting punishment onto someone else is always welcome. I hate it but it is true that if someone questioned me at that age I might not overtly accuse but I would agree or stay silent when someone else might take the heat. 
The cops would only have to suggest that this guy was on her phone and might have been guilty (was there no other prospective "John"? And why didn't we hear about him?). She wouldn't even have to point her finger.