Indian River County Sheriff’s Office detectives, working with Michigan State Police and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a 28‑year‑old Vero Beach woman and her 38‑year‑old boyfriend from Michigan on charges of child sexual abuse and the creation and transmission of child sexual abuse material.
Investigation origins
The probe began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children flagged a Kik messaging account for suspected illegal content. Law‑enforcement obtained legal process to seize the account and recovered images, videos and communications that identified the two suspects.
Vero Beach arrests
Detectives in Vero Beach located the woman, identified as Lisette Zamarripa, after finding graphic images on the Kik account. Officers entered her home, removed her two biological children—a 1‑year‑old girl and a 2‑year‑old boy—and placed them in the custody of the Department of Children and Families. Zamarripa admitted to sexually abusing the children and recording the acts during a video call at the request of her boyfriend, who was watching from Michigan.
She was charged with two counts of sexual battery and transmission of child sexual abuse material. Zamarripa is being held without bond, with an arraignment set for Oct. 14.
Michigan suspect
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office agents served a search warrant at the boyfriend’s residence, where he confessed to directing and recording the abuse and to separately abusing his own 1‑year‑old daughter. The warrant was treated as high‑risk because firearms were reported on the property, but the operation concluded without incident.
Detectives seized a cell phone, two computers and a tablet believed to contain additional illegal material. The boyfriend, identified as Kenneth Conkle, faces first‑degree criminal sexual conduct charges and multiple counts related to the manufacture of aggravated child sexual abuse material. He is being held on a $2 million bond while Florida charges remain pending.
Law‑enforcement response
Both agencies praised the coordinated effort, emphasizing the importance of cross‑jurisdiction collaboration to protect children. Sheriff Daniel Abbott of Van Buren County noted that the ongoing forensic examination of the seized devices may uncover further evidence.
These arrests underscore the relentless work of local, state and federal partners to safeguard vulnerable children and bring perpetrators to justice.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
