LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WKRC) – A former camp counselor was accused of sexually abusing children for years.
According to WINK, Krystal Hurd, a camp counselor at the Sanibel Recreation Center in Sanibel, Florida, was taken into custody in Punta Gorda on October 16 after she allegedly sexually abused young boys and girls for multiple years.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office told the outlet on Wednesday that Hurd met and groomed at least one victim at the center, with her victims believed to be one boy and three girls. WINK reported that all Hurd’s alleged victims are now adults.
Citing investigators, the outlet reported that Hurd met one of her victims while she was employed as a counselor, adding that all four alleged victims spent a considerable amount of time with Hurd both at Sanibel Recreation Center and outside of it. Dana Souza, the Sanibel city manager, told reporters with WINK that Hurd worked as a part-time recreational aid at the center from 2005 to 2009, but said, “we didn’t learn about this investigation until this morning and that there were charges.”
“I think that now our background check is strong, but, you know, I think that it’s important to recognize that had there been any negative comments that came back in the background check in 2005 or any year previously, then that employee would not have been hired,” Souza said when speaking to WINK. “It’s really unfortunate, and we’re really saddened to hear there are victims of somebody who may have met these children through their employment with the city.”
Authorities said two of the children lived with Hurd and her husband for multiple years, per the report.
An arrest report reviewed by WINK states that Hurd targeted her four victims after she determined that their parents weren’t highly involved in their lives, adding that she influenced the way her victims dressed and took them to various locations, where alleged sexual abuse occurred between 2008 and 2014.
According to WINK, the investigation into Hurd was launched after the male victim reached out to Hurd’s mother-in-law about the alleged abuse, who then contacted authorities. The man told investigators he was in the fifth grade when he met Hurd, adding that the first instance of sexual abuse occurred when he was 12 years old, and continuing until he was 19, per the outlet.
The report reviewed by the WINK states that Hurd would take the male victim to hotels during school breaks which is where the alleged abuse occurred.
WFTX reported that the male victim told authorities that Hurd pressured him into engaging in sexual acts both at the hotels and at her home, while other victims said Hurd forced them to perform sexual acts on each other. One female victim told investigators that she and the male victim were directed by Hurd to perform sexual acts on each other when they were 16 years old, but told authorities that they were pressured into doing it. The female victim noted that Hurd would remain in the room while those acts occurred, per WFTX.
A report reviewed by WFTX also states that a third female victim said Hurd pressured her into kissing another boy against her will.
According to WINK, the male victim told authorities that Hurd said the two of them would remain together until he was 18, and then be married.
A reporter with WINK spoke to Hurd’s mother-in-law, identified as Tamara Verlinde, who told the outlet that Hurd’s husband was serving in the Marine Corps and stationed in North Carolina for three and a half years, but later joined a fire department, where he worked 24-hour shifts.
The report obtained by WINK states that Hurd’s husband first learned of the sexual abuse between the male victim after his mother reach out, then contacted the male victim directly, who confirmed what had happened. Hurd’s husband told law enforcement that he had been previously suspicious, but said whenever he would question Hurd about her relationship with the victim, she would make him “feel stupid” for asking.
Hurd’s husband told investigators with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office that Hurd had recently filed for divorce, adding that they are in the middle of civil court proceedings over child custody, WINK reported. He told investigators that there’s no indication that Hurd abused their son, but said he was concerned due to Hurd’s alleged sexual attraction to juvenile boys, telling deputies, “I truly do believe there are more victims. It’s something that’s not going to stop.”
Hurd was arrested and charged with the following:
WINK reported that investigators confirmed victim interviews were conducted in 2020, noting that an arrest report mentions that 1,700 pictures and 100 videos of evidence have yet to be analyzed.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office issued WINK the following statement after the station inquired as to why it took so long to arrest Hurd.
“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office first became aware of this incident in September of 2020. Upon receipt of the information, our Special Victims Unit immediately began an investigation. As with all cases involving multi-jurisdictions, LCSO has continued to work with our partners at the State Attorney’s Office to gather and analyze a multitude of evidence related to this case, to secure successful prosecution. Please reach out to the State Attorney’s Office for more detailed information on the process pertaining to the charging documents that may assist with your inquiry on the timeline.”
Hurd is expected to appear in court again on October 22, per the reports.
