Belize: 37-year-old woman charged over alleged sexual offences involving teen

A 37-year-old woman from Sandhill, Belize, is reported to have been taken into custody at the Belize Central Prison upon being charged for two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse involving a 15 year old minor male.

The woman accused has been identified as Sheris Shelmadine Moralez, a cook at Mile 19 located at the Philip Goldson Highway. Eventually the woman was brought before the Chief Magistrate on Tuesday, where proceedings in the case commenced.

According to the reports, the accusation states that the illicit sexual intercourse occurred on two occasions, once in the bathroom and once in the bedroom at Moralez’s residence on July 30, involving the 15-year-old boy.

No plea was taken because the case involves indictable offences, which means the charges are subject to be dealt through the superior courts rather than being conclusively determined by the lower magistrates’ court.

Moralez was defended by attorney Orson “OJ” Erlington, who allegedly requested for a bail. His explanation involved a challenge regarding the statutory provision under which Moralez was formally accused. The defence argued that the provision certainly applied to a girl rather than a boy.

The prosecution council rejected the bail, stating that the reported victim was 15 and the subordinate court did not have the legal authority to grant the bail considering the circumstances of the case. The Chief Magistrate approved the prosecution’s stance and ordered that Moralze be remanded to the Belize Central Prison.

The court adjourned legal proceedings until November 16, when further information is expected to be provided. The court also stated that the bail plea could be reviewed after 90 days if Moralez could not be granted bail through the High Court.

According to the police reports, the victim and his mother reached Ladyville Police Station on August 6 to register the complaint. Moralez was eventually arrested and questioned under the supervision of the Justice of the Peace after being informed of her legal rights. Further court proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.