Licensed social worker in Long Island shared abusive videos of infants, prosecutors say.
A child therapist in Long Island is facing serious charges related to the distribution of sexual abuse imagery involving children as young as infants on social media platforms. The therapist, identified as Renee Hoberman, 36, of Plainview, N.Y., was brought before the court in Central Islip where she was ordered to be held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
According to the federal complaint filed by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, Ms. Hoberman, who is a licensed social worker also known as Rina, allegedly used messaging apps to share sexually abusive images of minors, including videos depicting the rape of infants aged one year or younger. The complaint revealed that as recently as Oct. 16, she uploaded such images to various chats on the messaging app Kik, posing as a man with young children and describing engaging in sexual acts with them. She even encouraged others in the chat to visit and participate in the abuse.
It’s important to note that Ms. Hoberman has not been charged with producing child sexual abuse imagery, and there is no indication in the complaint that she was directly involved in the abuse itself. The case is still under investigation, and Ms. Hoberman’s public defender, Evan Sugar, has not provided any comments on the matter. Her family members, including her brother and father, have also declined to make any statements regarding the charges.
This disturbing case highlights the importance of protecting children from online exploitation and the need for strict enforcement of laws against the distribution of child sexual abuse imagery. It serves as a reminder of the dangers that vulnerable individuals, especially minors, face in the digital age and the crucial role that authorities play in safeguarding their well-being.
Source: The NY Times
