OLATHE, KS (KCTV) -
Authorities in Johnson County have taken away the passport of a woman accused of a sex crime with a child, to make sure she doesn't leave the country.
The 23-year-old woman had to turn in her passport to authorities because they wanted to make sure she didn't flee the country and return to her homeland of Mombasa, Kenya. The district attorney wants to make sure she's in town to face a judge for alleged disturbing crimes against a child.
From the Johnson County Jail, Maurine Mutindi Kimwele faced a judge Thursday through the court video system for her first arraignment. She was charged with rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
KCTV5's Sandra Olivas talked with Kimwele's next-door neighbor, Laura Pulido, about the allegations.
"I'm honestly surprised. I didn't think that she would do something like that. I'm 22 and she's only a year older than me," Pulido said.
Neighbors said they knew something was going on because last week, they saw detectives put Kimwele in a car and drive off.
According to sources, Kimwele worked for the victim's mother two years ago as her home healthcare worker.
According to court documents, Kimwele reportedly had sex with a child who was under 14 years of age, and in the fifth grade, multiple times between April and September 2010.
Sources said Kimwele then left for college, where she was studying to become a nurse. When she came home for the summer, she allegedly volunteered to fill in when other home healthcare workers couldn't be there to help the victim's mother.
On July 16, she was accused of fondling or touching the same victim again.
A witness told a home healthcare worker she saw Kimwele on top of the boy. That home healthcare worker took the victim's phone and texted Kimwele, who allegedly texted back with sexual messages. That was when police were alerted.
The victim's mother has home healthcare workers for medical reasons and was asleep in the house when the alleged incidents took place.
The news has left many of Kimwele's neighbors shaken.
"I'm really surprised. They're really a great family. My son mowed their yard and they didn't seem to be in any strange activity or anything like that," Samantha Whitaker said.
"Yeah it was shocking. Honestly I've only seen them go in and out, and they're both nice people. I wouldn't think something like that was going on," Pulido said.
Pulido said if the allegations are true, it's sad that the victim was abused two years ago and then targeted again. She said there are several children who live in their Olathe, KS, neighborhood, and she hopes parents remind children about boundaries and bad touches.
"That's why parents need to talk to their children about this kind of thing. Don't let someone touch you, or if you feel uncomfortable let someone else know," she said.
Neighbors said Kimwele lives with her mother. Whitaker said she told Kimwele's mom her daughter was taken away by detectives.
Thursday, the judge set Kimwele's bond at $100,000 cash only. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 9.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
