Tucson Woman Caught in California Child Sex Abuse Scandal

Pima County sheriff’s deputies arrested Emily Joy Stephens, 29, on charges related to child sexual abuse while she was residing with her five children, all under the age of 13. She is currently detained in the Pima County jail without bond, awaiting extradition to Santa Cruz, California, where she faces serious allegations.

In addition to Stephens, Dr. James Kohut, a 57-year-old neurosurgeon, has been implicated, facing multiple felony counts involving the sexual abuse of children younger than 14. Reports indicate that Stephens is accused of six felony counts concerning three children under the age of 10 and another three under 14.

The investigation unfolded when a Pima County deputy received a call from a Watsonville, California, police detective. The detective had recovered footage that allegedly shows Stephens and another woman engaging in sexual acts with minors under the age of 15. This prompted local authorities to seek assistance from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to locate Stephens, believing she was in Tucson.

Following the issuance of a search warrant, deputies arrested Stephens at her home. During this operation, her children, aged 12, 10, 7, 5, and 2, were placed into the care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety. Records reveal that Stephens lived with a business partner, with whom she operated a hat company that supplied goods to stores and events in Tucson and Santa Cruz. The partner shared that Kohut frequently met them during their trips.

Relationships in the investigation appear intricate, with claims that Kohut manipulated Stephens through emotional threats and promises of a future together. According to the business partner, Kohut expressed disturbing intentions regarding parenthood, mentioning a desire to father children for the purpose of sexual abuse. Despite these revelations, no concrete evidence has been discovered indicating that such a “taboo family lifestyle” was ever realized.

The children seemed to have an affectionate relationship with Kohut, with one even referring to him as “Dr. Daddy.” However, concerns grew when a planned March visit did not transpire, leading to tensions between Kohut and Stephens. It was noted that Kohut threatened intervention from authorities if Stephens did not comply with his demands regarding the children.

Authorities interviewed the children from this union, with no disclosures of abuse reported during the discussions. However, one child’s comments suggested an unusual living arrangement, as she indicated she had bathed with her mother and siblings. During interviews, emotional distress was observed, particularly in Stephens’ oldest daughter, who appeared particularly guarded.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement has confiscated various items from Stephens’ residence, including electronic devices and written correspondence tied to the case. The situation remains ongoing, with serious implications for all involved.

For more information, contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191. Follow her on Twitter: @caitlinschmidt