Long Island Child Therapist Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Exploitation Material
A Disturbing Case Unfolds
In a deeply troubling case that has shocked the community, Renee “Rina” Hoberman, a 37-year-old child therapist from Long Island, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to sharing sexually explicit videos of children. Her arrest, which took place on October 23, was prompted by alarming online behavior that raised red flags for law enforcement.
Details of the Offense
Hoberman allegedly posed as an adult male on the messaging platform Kik, where she not only bragged about sexually abusing children but also distributed extremely graphic videos. Among the videos shared was one depicting the assault of an infant under a year old. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. condemned her actions, stating, “The defendant … admitted to distributing extremely vile and unthinkable videos depicting the horrific sexual abuse of babies.”
Hoberman’s disturbing behavior came to light when Kik reported the material to authorities, prompting a swift investigation. Although police have not yet determined the source of the videos, the case has expedited calls for increased vigilance against online exploitation.
Background Context
At the time of her arrest, Hoberman was employed by Lifestance Health, primarily working from home. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in social work, credentials that make her alleged crimes even more alarmingly incongruous.
Awaiting Sentencing
Currently held in custody since her arrest, Hoberman is scheduled to return to court in November for sentencing, where she faces a potential prison term of five to 20 years. The heinous nature of her actions has prompted discussions among child advocacy groups and legal experts about the urgent need for stronger protections against child exploitation.
Authorities continue to investigate the extent of Hoberman’s actions, as they work to unravel the remaining details of this harrowing case. Further updates are anticipated as the sentencing date approaches.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.