Female psychologist offered to help vulnerable girl aged 15 - then brought her to hotels to have sex with men instead

Résumé détaillé

Maria Duarte was convicted of the sordid sex crimes relating to a 15-year-old girl that she brought under her wing in Miami.

Published: 19:32 GMT, 11 November 2026 | Updated: 19:32 GMT, 11 November 2026

A female psychologist accused of luring a vulnerable 15-year-old girl into sex trafficking after offering to help her has been convicted of sex crimes.

Maria Duarte approached the girl in August 2024 while she was walking her dog near an Aloft hotel in Miami, Florida, prosecutors said.

During her trial, prosecutors alleged Duarte used her psychology background to manipulate the teenager into having sex with men, including her boyfriend Jason Mojica, NBC reported.

The teenager was struggling with problems at home and believed Duarte was someone who cared about her and wanted to help.

'She felt like she wasn't alone, that someone cared about her,' prosecutor Justin Funck told jurors.

'Somebody who was going to help her put on clothes and do her makeup and do her hair.'

Prosecutors alleged Duarte exploited the teenager's vulnerability and brought men to the hotel for sex and drugs.

Maria Duarte approached the girl in August 2024 while she was walking her dog near an Aloft hotel in Miami, Florida

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