SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A former Seminole County deputy accused of making a false report of a child being sexually abused has bonded out of jail.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office told Channel 9 that on May 15, the same day Valencia LaRue answered WFTV's questions after allegations she had an affair with a co-worker, sent explicit text messages and had sex on the job, an anonymous call was placed to the Florida Abuse Hotline saying a child was being sexually abused by their mother at a Seminole County home.
The information was forwarded to the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Children and Families.
After an investigation, they found no indication of any child abuse like the caller alleged, but the investigation showed that it was LaRue who called in the false tip, authorities said.
The call was traced to her cellphone and investigators recognized her voice in the call.
The Sheriff’s Office said the call was made maliciously and not for the well-being of a child.
“If you are a law enforcement or former law enforcement officer you know the seriousness of making false reports. If anything, she should have known better,” said Kim Cannaday of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
LaRue was charged with filing that false report and arrested after a warrant was issued on Thursday. She has since bonded out of jail.
Channel 9 reported earlier this year how LaRue and former Deputy Joseph Fetchick allegedly sent over 7,000 messages, many explicit, to each other while on duty.
"Among the more tamed messages were things like, "I'm keeping your bed warm," and "I'm stopping by for a quickie!"
LaRue and Fetchick, who said they're now in love, told WFTV those texts and the others were obtained illegally by Fetchick's wife, who their attorney said illegally intercepted them.
Fetchick is also accused of leaving his post at Milwee Middle School to have sex with LaRue, but Fetchick claims he just went to lunch.
LaRue resigned, but Fetchick was fired.
WFTV
