Stephanie Lynn Emrie

WARSAW — More details have been released in regards to a child seduction case involving a Warsaw woman and a 17-year-old foreign exchange student from Denmark.

On June 12, the Warsaw Police Department was notified of an alleged inappropriate relationship between a foreign exchange student from Denmark and a member of the host family in the city of Warsaw.

At the time officers and investigators were informed, it was also realized that the 17-year-old male juvenile was preparing to leave the state to ultimately leave the country later. Officers located the juvenile at a residence in Warsaw as he was preparing to leave with staff members from the exchange company. It was realized the suspect in this case, later identified as Stephanie Emrie, 30, was also present at the time.

While at the residence, additional intelligence led investigators to believe probable cause existed to further the investigation. The victim and suspect were transported to the police department for interviews.

A combination of forensic downloads and statements received through interviews resulted in probable cause being established to arrest Emrie for child seduction, a level 5 felony; and possession of child pornography, a level 6 felony. Particularly in this case, Emrie is considered a “custodian” per state statute who resided with the child and was responsible for the child’s welfare during the time he was enrolled in the foreign exchange program. Child seduction is a level 5 felony when the person charged in this case engages in sexual intercourse. This investigation revealed that sexual intercourse occurred multiple times in a short period of time.

Program staff members and management have been completely cooperative with investigators throughout this investigation. The child’s parents, already awaiting his arrival in Chicago, drove to the Warsaw Police Department, where they met with police investigators and officials from the Department of Child Services. Ultimately, the juvenile was returned to the care of his parents in order to prepare for a flight back to their country.

The above information was discovered as a result of a police investigation. The Warsaw Police Department acknowledges that the charged defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.