UPDATES: 9-16-21 & 9-7-21 / 7-13-21 Second Authority Figure Charged with Sexual Battery

CPD again thanks our partners, Department of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance in this continuing investigation. Rebeka Perez (22) was booked at the Silverdale Detention Center.

Victim: male, 16

Suspect: Rebeka Perez

DOB: 08/17/1999

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UPDATE (9-7-21) 

The Chattanooga Police Special Victims Unit has charged an authority figure who was employed at 1914 Vance Avenue with a second count of Sexual Battery. Florencia Guadalupe Renderos Morales (22) turned herself in at the Silverdale Detention Center on August 30, 2021. Renderos Morales was initially charged with one count of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure in July, 2021. The ongoing investigation identified a second juvenile minor which led to the additional charge.

The CPD thanks our partners, the Department of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance in this ongoing investigation. 

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UPDATE (7-13-21)

Chattanooga Police Special Victims Unit has charged a second female involving sexual wrongdoing that includes a juvenile victim at a facility located at 1914 Vance Avenue. CPD has charged suspect Florencia Guadalupe Renderos Morales (22) with one count of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure. She is in custody in Harris County, Texas and will be extradited to Hamilton County, Tennessee at a later date yet to be determined. The victim in this case is not the same victim identified in the case of previously charged suspect Randi Duarte.

The Chattanooga Police Department thanks our partners, the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and Harris County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in this ongoing investigation.

CPD nor its partners will be offering any additional information or comment on the cases involving suspects Florencia Guadalupe Renderos Morales or Randi Duarte as these continue to be ongoing criminal investigations.

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JUNE 30, 2021

Chattanooga Police make an arrest in a case involving sexual wrongdoing that includes a juvenile victim at a facility located at 1914 Vance Avenue. The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) received the complaint on May 21, 2021. The CPD Special Victims Unit (SVU) with assistance from other local and federal partners have been thoroughly investigating ever since. 

CPD has charged Randi Duarte (35) with Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, Coercion of a Witness, and Tampering with Evidence. Duarte is currently in custody at the Whitfield County Jail. She will be extradited to Hamilton County, Tennessee at a later date. 

Since receiving the complaint in late May, CPD has been working with the Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security Investigations as well as the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office to investigate, identify, and locate the suspect in this case. CPD would like to thank the Dalton Police Department for their assistance as this investigation unfolded. CPD will continue its work with these and possibly other agencies as the investigation continues. 

Additionally, the 16-year-old male who was reported on June 14, 2021 as a missing person - runaway from that same Vance Avenue location has been located safe with his family in Guatemala. 

CPD nor its partners will be offering any additional information or comment on the case involving Ms. Duarte as this continues to be an ongoing criminal investigation. 

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