Charges dismissed against DC woman who used ice cream, popcorn to lure child sex assault victims

The U.S. Attorney's Office has dismissed the case against a D.C. woman who police say used ice cream and popcorn to lure children into her apartment where she sexually abused them.

In early July, 42-year-old Larona Steele was arrested and charged with first-degree child sexual abuse.

According to a police report, the sexual assault happened in the 3500 block of Clay Place in Northeast D.C. last month and the victims were all under 16 years old. Two of the victims told investigators that Steele forced them to have sexual intercourse with her along with oral sex.

The investigation revealed the woman offered the victims popcorn and ice cream to get them into her home. Once inside, she locked the door and forced them to perform the sexual acts on her.

In a release the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that they filed a motion to dismiss the case, and the charges against Steele have been dismissed due to insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.