A 25-year-old Arizona woman was arrested by Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) investigators on July 18, for charges connected to sexual abuse of minors.
Makaila Yablonski, from Yuma, Arizona, was arrested just before 2 p.m. and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center. She reportedly owns a horse riding school and has been training children for a while now. According to the Yuma authorities, they discovered the woman's alleged sex crimes while investigating an assault. Two 17-year-old boys were identified as victims in the investigation. She is charged with sexual abuse, sexual conduct with a minor, public sexual indecency, and indecent exposure with a victim who is 15 years of age or more.
The sheriff's office said the alleged incident happened in the 3500 block of East County 17 1/2 Street in Yuma, Arizona. Yuma is located at the southwestern tip of Arizona, near the border with Mexico. Yablonski attended her initial court appearance on Thursday, where a judge reduced her bond amount from $50,000 to $25,000. "I'm sure she understands the gravity of the situation and will comply with the conditions of the release," Judge Juan M. Guerrero said.
Many locals have commented on social media regarding Yablonski, sharing how they have had their children attend her training; they also expressed their disbelief that she would do this.
One of the victims was present in court along with his mother, who made a statement. "My son and Makaila have been friends and as far as I knew, that's all I thought it was," said the victim's mother, according to KYMA. Meanwhile, Yablonski's parents also attended the court, with the defendant's mother saying, "She is innocent until proven guilty," she also shared that their family is now receiving death threats.
The case remains under investigation. Yablonski's next court appearance for the felony charges is scheduled on Friday, while she is also set to appear on Sept. 15 on the misdemeanors.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff's Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous and can alternately visit www.yumacountysheriff.org [yumacountysheriff.org] to submit an anonymous tip.
