Anna Areola-Hernandez (Source: Glendale Police Department)
(Source: Glendale Police Department)
Selfie (Anna Areola-Hernandez's Facebook page)GLENDALE, AZ (CBS5) -
A 23-year-old Glendale woman who often posed as a teenager on social media has pleaded not guilty to a series of sex charges.
Anna Areola-Hernandez entered her pleas to three counts of sexual conduct with a minor, three counts of child molestation, three counts of unlawful lying about her age and three counts of posing as a minor for sex.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 22.
Detectives said they were able to develop probable cause for the arrest of Areola-Hernandez, 23, after they were alerted she had allegedly been involved in an inappropriate and potentially sexual relationship with a 13-year-old Glendale boy.
The victim's mother told police Areola-Hernandez had allegedly been having a sexual relationship with her son for the past few months, gave him a sexually transmitted disease and claimed to be pregnant with his baby, according to court paperwork.
Areola-Hernandez used several social media and texting apps, such as Facebook, Kik, Snapchat and Tango, to contact other juveniles, Glendale police sex crimes detectives said.
Areola-Hernandez often poses as a 15-year-old and uses the screen names "Tiny Hernandez" or "Ana Hernandez," Glendale Police Sgt. Jay O'Neill said in a statement.
The Glendale Police Department urges people who might have information on unreported crimes or those who believe that their child may have had inappropriate contact with Areola-Hernandez to contact law enforcement.
Anyone with information can call the Glendale Police Department at 623-930-3000 or Silent Witness at 480-Witness.
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