Sandhill Woman Gets Bail on Unlawful Sexual Intercourse Charges

A Sandhill cook charged with two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a fifteen-year-old boy has been released on High Court bail. Thirty-seven-year-old Sherise Shelmadine Moralez was granted ten-thousand-dollar bail, with two sureties of five thousand dollars each, by Justice Derick F. Sylvester on September third.  Moralez was first arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on August 25. The charges allege that she had sexual intercourse with the boy twice on July 30. Police began investigating after the minor, accompanied by his mother, made a report at the Ladyville Police Station on August 6. Moralez denied the allegations during a police interview.  Her attorney, Orson Elrington, secured bail with conditions requiring her to attend every court hearing and remain in Belize unless a High Court judge gives her permission to travel. She must also refrain from interfering, directly or indirectly, with the complainant or any prosecution witness.  If she breaches those conditions or is arrested or charged with another offence, she is to be brought before a High Court judge for consideration of whether her bail should be revoked. Her next Magistrate’s Court appearance is scheduled for November 16. The charges remain allegations to be determined by the court.