An Ocklawaha woman is being held without bond after Marion County detectives accused her of sexually abusing a child on multiple occasions over several months.
Erica Marie Pfefferle, 38, was arrested July 31 at a residence on Southeast 92nd Lane. She faces three counts of sexual battery on a child between the ages of 12 and 17 by a person 18 or older, along with one count of lewd and lascivious conduct by an adult.
The investigation began June 28 when Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report involving a child who had been living in the same residence as Pfefferle.
During a forensic interview at Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, the child described several alleged incidents occurring between December 2025 and March 2026. According to the arrest affidavits, the child said Pfefferle touched and sexually battered her in a bathroom, bedroom and other areas of the residence despite repeatedly being told to stop.
Detectives said the child also described a separate incident on Valentine’s Day in which Pfefferle allegedly placed her hand inside the child’s pants and pushed her onto a bed. The child told investigators Pfefferle warned her not to say anything or something bad would happen.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for a blue Samsung cellphone after learning the child may have encountered sexually explicit material involving Pfefferle on the device. A forensic review did not locate photographs, videos or text messages relevant to the case, according to the affidavit.
After her arrest, Pfefferle agreed to speak with detectives and denied the sexual abuse allegations. Investigators said her account repeatedly changed when she was questioned about whether she had been alone with the child.
Pfefferle told detectives she spent Valentine’s Day locked in her bedroom sleeping after using methamphetamine and did not wake until sometime between 7 and 8 p.m., according to the affidavit.
Detectives wrote that the child’s statements remained consistent throughout the investigation while Pfefferle’s recollection of events was inconsistent. The affidavit also states Pfefferle had previously been arrested in a separate case involving allegations that she tattooed the child.
Pfefferle was booked into the Marion County Jail without bond. The charges are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
