A mother has been arrested after allegedly making child sex abuse material involving her own toddler after a request from a stranger online, authorities have said.
Florida woman Jenna Ann Hoffmann is accused of one count each of cruelty towards a child by directing or promoting sexual performance, lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years of age, possession of sexual performance of a child with intent to promote, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony and larceny, according to Hernando County Sheriff’s Office records.
The 21-year-old was questioned by cops about the alleged crimes and told investigators she had agreed to produce illicit videos in exchange for money – which she never received. On Monday, September 23, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office forwarded a tip about the crime from a “popular social media platform” to the arresting agency, a press release confirmed. The sheriff’s office added: “The digital files depicted a female performing sex acts with a toddler.”
It took just a few hours for Hoffmann to be identified at an address on Snow Memorial Highway in Brooksville – a small town near Orlando. Detectives initially spoke to a family member who identified the young victim after being shown a still picture of the 23-month involved in the abuse.
The press release continued: “The family member then retrieved Hoffman from the residence. Hoffman exited the residence and agreed to speak to detectives. Hoffman stated she was speaking with a stranger on social media who advised they would pay her to produce and send sexual videos involving her son. Hoffman said she made the videos at her residence and sent them but did not receive payment for the videos.”
A search warrant was carried out at the property and additional evidence was allegedly obtained of the defandant’s crimes, the sheriff’s office explained, Law & Crime reports. Hoffman was subsequently arrested and is now being detained without bond in the Hernando County Detention Center.
In the event of potential pre-trial release, a judge in Hernando County already issued an order that would keep the defendant on GPS monitoring, court records show. Court records do not show an attorney of record in the case, but Hoffman filled out an intake form indicating that she has retained a private attorney and will claim indigent status. She will next appear in court on October 22.