A Florida Teen Was Missing. A Woman Who Wanted to Adopt Boy Was Hiding Him: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

Sherry Novelli.Photo:Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Sherry Novelli, a volunteer at the home in Punta Gorda, allegedly gave the teen alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana, according to astatement from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Novelli, 61, now faces charges of contributing to delinquency of a minor and interfering with the custody of a minor.

On Feb. 10, just before 10 pm, deputies responded to a report of a missing boy from the Crossroads Hope Academy in Punta Gorda, according to the news release. The boy had been given permission to go to a local park earlier that day, but staff couldn’t locate him when they went to look for him later.

The boy had also been involved in an incident with Novelli earlier in the day. Novelli had subsequently been asked to leave the premises and no longer contact any of the youth in Crossroads’ care, per the police statement.

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When deputies spoke with Novelli, she told them she’d brought food to the teen when he was hanging out at South County Park earlier that day. While looking into the case more, police found that Novelli had allegedly purchased the teen’s cell phone, paid for its service, opened a bank account for him, gotten him a laptop, and more. During her quest to adopt him, she’d allegedly intended to help the teen with homeschooling and finding a job.

However, detectives' further investigation showed that “no steps had been taken for an actual legal adoption."

The still-missing teen was later located sitting in Novelli’s car in Venice, Fla., while Novelli was at the dentist, according to the release. Both the teen and Novelli were taken into custody.

After speaking with the youth, detectives learned he’d planned to run away after finding out that Novelli would no longer be able to see him at Crossroads.

Novelli had allegedly already procured a condo for the teen, where she visited him, bringing alcohol, cigarettes and a marijuana vape pen, per the sheriff’s release.

The teen reportedly said there was no sexual element to the relationship between him and Novelli.

“Youth who are enrolled at Crossroads Hope Academy have already had a rough go of things,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in a statement. “To further complicate their lives is not a ‘motherly’ thing to do, and it only further harms them. This woman made a series of poor choices, and it is clear that she is not what is best for this young man.”

Novelli has since been bonded out of jail. PEOPLE was unable to locate a lawyer for Novelli who could speak on her behalf.

It’s unclear what the next steps will be for the teen.

source: people.com