Greulich pleaded not guilty Friday morning.
The Springfield Police Division began their investigation on June 12 when they received information of an inappropriate relationship between a 13-year-old and Greulich, an affidavit filed with the case states.
The affidavit states the teen was interviewed a week later, when he admitted to engaging in sexual conduct with Greulich on at least one occasion somewhere in the city of Springfield. There also was evidence of Greulich sending naked pictures of herself at least three times through Facebook Messenger, according to the affidavit.
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Although Greulich hasn’t been convicted, experts say that type of alleged behavior can happen for a number of reasons.
Chelsea Bennett, a licensed social worker out of Dayton who specializes in sexual abuse and child abuse, explained that people who abuse others may have experienced past physical, emotional or sexual abuse themselves.
They may also have an internal need for control, needs that aren’t being fulfilled or low self-esteem.
“This is something someone has experienced and they’ve actually learned how to manipulate other people,” she said.
Springfield police said the boy called Greulich a role model and a motherly figure on several occasions.
Bennett warned parents to keep an eye on what their children are doing online and who they’re talking to.
She said parental controls are good, but just talking with them can be key.
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“So they know that if someone is doing something that inadvertently feels really good, but you know in your moral compass that’s it’s possibly wrong, come and talk to Mom, come and talk to Dad, come and talk to Grandma,” Bennett said.
On July 2, an appointment was scheduled with Greulich at SPD headquarters, according to the affidavit, but she failed to show. It was then that law enforcement put out a warrant for her arrest.
According to a Springfield police report obtained by the Springfield News-Sun, Greulich was arrested the next day.
The report states she was arrested by the U.S. Marshals and taken to the Springfield Police Division where she requested to speak with detectives.
Greulich admitted to sending nude photos of herself to (the child) and also having sexual intercourse with (the child), the affidavit states.
Greulich’s bond was set at $10,000, but as of Friday afternoon she was no longer in custody.
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