Lauren Debenedetta, 41, was sentenced to 26 years in prison for crimes against a child. Debenedetta was a dance teacher who engaged in sexual acts with one of her students. She was found guilty at trial in July in Charlotte County.
The guilty verdict was on four counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, one count of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct, and one count of Lewd or Lascivious Battery. The crimes happened in Charlotte County and Sarasota in 2016. Debenedetta was charged in both counties and the cases were consolidated to Charlotte County for trial. Following her prison sentence she will be on 5 years of sex offender probation and she has also been designated a sexual offender.
Assistant State Attorney Kyle Stublen and Specially Appointed Assistant State Attorney Brooke Kernan from the 12th Judicial Circuit prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125