A 19-year-old female was arrested for sexual abuse of a child

Posted by Travis Uresk | April 9th, 2023 | Sexual Abuse Of A Child |

By Travis Uresk

4/9/23

Maeser, Ut.- On 4/3/23, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) received a child abuse neglect report regarding a possible sexual abuse involving a 13-year-old female victim.

The victim was interviewed at the Criminal Justice Center in Vernal. During the interview, the victim disclosed that 19-year-old McKenzie Lynn Moore forced the victim onto the bed by placing her hand around the victim’s throat.

McKenzie Lynn Moore

While Moore had the victim on the bed, she touched the victim inappropriately. The victim also stated that a second incident occurred where Moore again touched the victim inappropriately inside the victim's bedroom.

Both incidents occurred at the victim’s home in Uintah County between March 12th and March 22nd, 2023.

During the interview with Moore, she admitted that sexual acts were conducted with the 13-year-old victim while both were fully clothed. Moore denied grabbing the victim by the throat but admitted that she knew the victim was a minor but didn't know she was only 13.

Due to the victim disclosing that Moore used force by grabbing her by the throat and pushing her onto the bed, where she sexually touched the victim, McKenzie was booked into the Uintah County Jail for aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony.

Due to the victim disclosing on a second occasion, McKenzie again sexually touched the victim. She is being charged with sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony.

According to the Utah code, any touching, even if accomplished through clothing, is sufficient to constitute the relevant element of either subsection listed above.