A Lexington woman accused of trafficking a 12-year-old family member to her boyfriend has had her case waived to a grand jury. Information revealed in court shows that this isn’t the first time the woman has been in trouble with the law.
33-year-old Stephanie Watts and 34-year-old Juan Hernandez-Plata were taken into police custody on Christmas Eve. Tuesday, both suspects faced a judge where Judge Kim Wilke found probable cause to send their cases to a grand jury.
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The reported victim in this case told investigators at the Lexington Children’s Advocacy Center on December 4, that Watts demanded she have sex with her 34-year-old boyfriend at the couple’s home on Meadow Lane.
The child says Watts removed her clothing, then left the room. That’s when the victim says Hernandez-Plata sodomized her. The next day, the victim says Watts gave her $80 and told her not to tell anyone what had happened.
Judge Wilke learned that Watts was convicted of incest in Carroll County in June of 2013. As a result, Watts’ bond was raised to $50,000.
Police interviewed family members who were living with Watts and her boyfriend, and say the child came to them seeking help.
The aunt of the now 13 year-old says one night after the incident, Watts got drunk and confessed what happened to the child.
Judge Wilke also increased Hernandez-Plata’s bond to $100,000 cash due to concern over past aliases.
