A former nurse from Florida has accepted a plea deal that will significantly reduce her prison sentence after she was accused of sexually abusing her 15-year-old stepson.
According to New York Post, Alexis Von Yates, 35, pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of lewd and lascivious battery in an Ocala court this week, avoiding trial and sparing the alleged victim from having to testify.
The incident occurred in July 2024 at the Florida home she shared with her husband Frank during the teen’s summer visit. According to court records, Von Yates had put her two younger children to bed late one evening before joining her stepson in the living room to watch movies and play video games. Prosecutors stated the two also used a THC vape before the events escalated.
Prosecutors Cite Mental Health Concerns For Teen
Statements admitted in court described how Von Yates later turned on a horror movie, commented that it was boring, and expressed feelings of sexual frustration. The teen later told investigators that she initiated inappropriate physical contact and said she wished he were 18 years old. During the encounter, she allegedly added that he reminded her of his father when he was younger.
The abuse was reportedly interrupted when Frank arrived home unexpectedly around 1 a.m. He allegedly found them both unclothed on the couch and began shouting, confronting his wife with accusations. Frantic, the boy fled from the house and would later tell authorities what had occurred that night.
Authorities were notified days later when police received an anonymous tip, prompting an investigation. Von Yates’ arrest followed in April 2025, several months after the allegations first surfaced. Her license to practice nursing was originally suspended in 2024 and has since been fully revoked.
Plea Reached One Month Before Final Sentencing
Prosecutors said the teen had initially been scheduled to testify via Zoom. However, the plea agreement allowed him to avoid reliving the event in a courtroom. Assistant State Attorney Shanae Pickens stated that the victim’s health and emotional recovery were the priority, and the deal reflected the family’s wishes.
“The family’s desire for Von Yates to do additional time is outweighed by their overall concern for the victim’s mental and emotional health,” Pickens told the court. She added that the minor’s mother believed justice was served by not forcing her son to recount the event again.
In court on August 21, Von Yates entered a no-contest plea to the reduced charge. This plea replaces the more serious allegation and carries a lighter sentence than she would have faced if convicted at trial. The state accepted the plea arrangement with the support of the victim’s family.
Sentencing Requirements Include Multiple Stages
The terms of the plea stipulate that Von Yates will serve two years in the Florida Department of Corrections. After her release, she will undergo two years of community control, a form of supervised release that includes strict oversight and restrictions. In addition, she must complete 10 years of sex offender probation.
As part of the agreement, Von Yates is also responsible for completing 200 hours of community service and paying various fines and court fees. Until her final sentencing, scheduled for September 2025, she remains in custody. The hearing will include statements from both the teen and his biological mother.
The courtroom testimony expected in the final sentencing may offer more insight into the broader impact this case has had on the family. Both plans to speak in support of the plea, reinforcing the prosecution’s claim that the reduced charge served to prioritize the teenager’s mental well-being.
Domestic Confrontation Followed The Alleged Incident
Details from the night in question reveal that the situation led to a volatile confrontation between Von Yates and her husband. Frank, according to court testimony, was shocked and began yelling when he entered their living room and found the pair. He reportedly used explicit and accusatory language, referring to his wife as a “child predator.”
At that moment, the teen ran from the scene and later described hearing his stepmother tell Frank that their son “looked just like” he did when he was younger. Prosecutors later confirmed that the child was three years below Florida’s legal age of consent. These details helped shape the course of the criminal charges brought against Von Yates.
The timeline of events shows a nearly nine-month delay between the incident and Von Yates’ arrest. During that time, the alleged victim began receiving mental health care and support, which prosecutors say would likely have been disrupted by a trial process.
Legal Consequences Bring Resolution For Family
With the plea deal accepted and sentencing nearing, the legal case is moving toward a resolution that the prosecution and family believe balances justice with the victim’s healing. The plea helped avoid further publicity and stress that could come with a criminal trial involving graphic testimony and public scrutiny.
The formal sentencing in September will determine how the remaining terms of her punishment are carried out, including monitoring during probation and the completion of court-ordered service. Von Yates has not issued a public statement regarding the plea or the allegations against her.
Although no longer licensed as a nurse, Von Yates remains a registered sex offender under Florida law and will have to comply with all related restrictions for the next decade. The scandal has quickly drawn public attention, given the nature of the crime and the victim’s relationship to the defendant.
