MELBOURNE, Fla. – A Melbourne woman is accused of having sex with a minor who was living on her property, according to officials from the Melbourne Police Department.
Cheryl Lentz, 36, was arrested Sunday on five charges of unlawful sexual activity with a 16- or 17-year-old child. Police said Lentz admitted to having sex with the teenager at least once over a 10-week period, while the victim said it happened at least seven times. Authorities have not released the victim's name or his exact age.
Police said Lentz rented the victim and his mother two rooms for $750 a month beginning in September. Authorities said the teen's mother works over 40 hours a week, which left him alone for much of the time.
According to Lentz's arrest report, the victim gave police a recorded conversation between himself and Lentz in which she admits to five sexual encounters. The report states that in that same recording, Lentz told the victim "I could go to jail for this."
Authorities said the teen was "reluctant and scared" to tell his family about what was happening between him and Lentz. Police said when they confronted Lentz, she admitted to one sexual encounter, even after being played the recording in which she admitted to five instances.
Lentz is being held at the Brevard County Jail on $75,000 bond.