Detectives: Woman prostituted girl to support drug habit

Fayetteville, N.C. — Cumberland County sheriff’s detectives have charged a homeless Fayetteville woman with prostituting a girl to support her drug habit.

Sandra Panecka, 20, coerced the girl, who was 14 at the time, to run away from home in 2007, according to sheriff's officials.

Panecka then introduced the girl to drugs and encouraged her to prostitute herself so they both could continue to buy cocaine, authorities said.

The victim told authorities that Panecka helped her pick up men and then collected the money the girl earned for sexual favors.

Detectives said the girl also told them she was physically assaulted, exposed to various drugs, sexually assaulted and infected with sexually transmitted diseases.

Authorities charged Panecka with facilitating a minor for prostitution, kidnapping, 10 counts of statutory sex offense, 10 counts of participating in the prostitution of a minor, four counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor, five counts of crimes against nature and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Deputies held Panecka in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $110,000 secured bond. She was scheduled to make a first court appearance at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Detention Center Courtroom.

59 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 59 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments

I feel sorry for both of these girls, they need to be in rehab not jail.

nobama
March 31, 2009 5:15 p.m.

"We are not saying that it doesn't happen everywhere, where I stayed in NY there wasn't crimes like this. It something in the NC news everyday that is so horrible and tragic"

Usually, in larger cities, the public doesn't hear about offenses like this because of even worse things that are happening and/or it happens all to often. I'm from NC but have lived in Phoenix for almost a year, and I can ensure you that crime/murder/prostitution is far more common here. It's just not as publicized because of the volume of activity.

NC is/was a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. To our guest who thinks our schools aren't up to par and is glad they "aren't like us", let me assure you have been to and lived in many states in the United States and there are studid, lazy people in all states, not to mention the same criminal activity.

uncwgirl02
March 31, 2009 4:17 p.m.

We are not saying that it doesn't happen everywhere, where I stayed in NY there wasn't crimes like this. It something in the NC news everyday that is so horrible and tragic.

weepyeyes007
March 31, 2009 3:36 p.m.

I don't want to be missed, who cares, what about the little girl who had to hook? If you don't like a situation you move, yea. My mom has cancer don't say she won't be missed we have a lot of friends at church, she will be missed.

weepyeyes007
March 31, 2009 3:34 p.m.

"I wonder if the lady charged "made" her do it?" When you are hooked and she has the contacts where you get your fix I don't suppose it take much making........