A Florida Psychologist Befriended a Teen. Then She Allegedly Tried to Traffic the Girl, Police Say

Maria Duarte and Jason Mojica were arrested on several charges, per police

A Florida couple is facing multiple charges after allegedly attempting to force a teenage girl to have sex with the male suspect under arrest.

Authorities charged Maria Ximena Duarte, 45, and Jason Mojica, 46, in connection with the incident last week.

Duarte, a licensed mental health professional, allegedly met the unidentified 15-year-old girl while the teen was walking her dog at a Miami, Fla., hotel on Aug. 13, the Miami-Dade Police Department said in a statement.

Duarte allegedly struck up a conversation and introduced herself as a therapist, police said.

This led the girl to become comfortable with Duarte and confide in her about her personal issues, according to an arrest affidavit for Mojica obtained by PEOPLE. The victim told authorities Duarte is Mojica's girlfriend.

Duarte allegedly offered marijuana and alcohol to the victim, who declined to drink, per the affidavit. Over the next day, the victim went back and forth between her home and the hotel on multiple occasions, with Duarte allegedly providing her with marijuana each time they were together.

On Aug. 14, Duarte allegedly began taking photographs of the girl and sharing them with an adult man, telling him the victim was 21 years old and willing to have sex with him, authorities noted in the affidavit. The victim reportedly said she would not do that but Duarte allegedly disregarded her refusal.

When the man arrived in the hotel room, the victim was allegedly made to record Duarte and the man having sex. Duarte allegedly told the teen that she was "teaching her," per the affidavit. PEOPLE is not naming the man as he has not been charged in connection with the encounter.

Later, Mojica allegedly arrived in the room and Duarte allegedly tried to leave the teen alone with him, despite the girl insisting she was uncomfortable, per the affidavit.

Mojica allegedly told the teen to “make [Mojica] feel good,” authorities said.

Miami-Dade police were made aware of the incidents after responding to the hotel room in reference to a dispute between Duarte and her mother on Aug. 18, according to a separate arrest affidavit for Duarte also provided to PEOPLE. The report does not state if this dispute was connected to the alleged incident.

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Duarte has been charged with human trafficking, lewd and lascivious sex acts, exhibition on a child and interference with custody, per police. Online court records show she has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

While appearing before a judge on Monday, Duarte said she was a "psychologist" and claimed, "I will lose my license and my life. I need help. I've never even touched that girl or kissed her," CBS Miami reported.

Mojica has been charged with sexual battery, lewd and lascivious battery/sex acts and interference with custody. Online court records show he was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 20, and has not yet entered a plea.

The public defender's office representing both Duarte and Mojica said they are not commenting on the issue at this time.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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