A Florida psychologist might be spending many years in prison soon. Police have accused Maria Duarte, 45, as well as her boyfriend, Jason Mojica, 46, of a number of serious sex offenses. Duarte allegedly tried to force a teenager to sleep with Mojica and another man in a hotel room.
Police say Duarte manipulated the victim, taking advantage of her vulnerable state and trying to traffic her. Duarte has pleaded not guilty to the charges while pleading for help and expressing fears that she might lose her license as a result. Here’s how the shocking story unfolded.
How Maria Duarte Met the Victim
According to the Miami Dade Police Department, Maria Duarte met the teenage girl at the Aloft Miami Dadeland Hotel. Duarte stopped the girl at the pool area while walking her dog. After introducing herself as a psychologist, the girl became more relaxed and began to trust her.
The interaction, which began on August 13, soon led to the teenage girl paying Duarte visits in her hotel room. She began to share her private struggles with Duarte, hoping to receive comfort and solutions in return. Duarte encouraged her by telling her that they shared the same experiences.
According to reports, likely to the victim’s surprise, Maria Duarte offered her marijuana and alcohol on her first visit. According to the arrest affidavit for Mojica, the victim didn’t accept the offer. The victim paid Duarte several visits on the second day.
On each of those visits, Duarte also allegedly offered her marijuana and alcohol, which she purchased from the hotel’s bar. The victim repeatedly declined. It was after this point that things began to escalate.
Maria Duarte Took Things Further After Gaining the Victim’s Tentative Trust
According to the police statement, Maria Duarte reportedly told the girl to “come back to her hotel room later that night.” When she returned, Duarte took several pictures of her and forwarded them to a man named Pablo. Duarte told Pablo that the victim was 21 years old and also that the victim had agreed to have sex with him.
At this point, the victim protested, stating she wasn’t willing to do that. Regardless, Duarte continued to make the plans. When Pablo came to the hotel room, Duarte made the victim record Pablo and her having sexual intercourse. According to reports, Duarte told the teen she was “teaching her.”
Later on, Mojica stepped into the room while Duarte tried to leave him and the victim alone. The victim again objected to being left alone with Mojica. Her pleas fell on deaf ears as Duarte allegedly pushed her back inside the room. Reports say that Duarte told the victim to “stay and make Jason feel good” and shut the door afterward.
According to the police statement, the teenager went into the bathroom afterward. To her shock, on coming out, she saw that Mojica had undressed while urging her to come have sex with him. When she refused, he allegedly grabbed her by the neck and made her perform oral sex on him.
Investigators reported that the victim accused Duarte of drug addiction. Also, she stated that the psychologist usually paid for the drugs with sex. The cops disclosed that when they arrived at the hotel room on August 18 to arrest Duarte, she was under the influence of drugs. Police say they came to the hotel room in response to an argument between Duarte and her mother.
Duarte Has Been Charged but Pleaded Not Guilty
Prosecutors have charged Maria Duarte with human trafficking and interference with custody. They also charged her with lewd and lascivious exhibition on a child under the age of 16. For Mojica, he will face charges of sexual battery, lewd and lascivious battery/sex acts, and interference with custody. Police arrested Mojica on August 20.
As both appeared in court, Duarte’s anti-suicide vest was visible. Also, she cried as she took her mugshot. During the court session, Duarte admitted to being a psychologist and pleaded not guilty to the charges. “I will lose my license and my life. I need help. I’ve never even touched that girl or kissed her,” she told the court.
“The facts alleged in here are terrible facts,” remarked Judge Mindy Glazer while going through the arrest report. “You’re freaking out, but you had no problem with the facts alleged in here; it’s pretty awful; it’s only probable cause; it’s not the trial.”
How To Know if a Child Has Been Sexually Abused?
Parents and guardians need to notice unusual behavior in their kids. They may have been sexually abused. Many abusers bribe or threaten kids not to expose their ordeal. The kids may also want to conceal the experience in order not to get the abuser into trouble.
Some of the changes that are common to children who have suffered sexual abuse include increased aggression, becoming too clingy or withdrawn, regular bedwetting, nightmares, and inability to sleep. They are also likely to avoid the abuser.
Some kids may begin to develop sexually indecent behavior as well as lose interest in school. Consequently, their grades begin to drop. Also, they will likely experience pain and soreness in their reproductive organs, carry sexually transmitted diseases, or even show signs of pregnancy.
Parents must pay attention to clues and hints of abuse that the children may drop. Parents should waste no time in reporting rape suspicions to the police as well as taking the victims for medical examination and care.
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