A 37-year-old Virginia mother, Ashleigh Watts, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing twin brothers who lived next door, allegedly maintaining an illicit relationship with one of the 15-year-olds since June 2022. The case came to light after an anonymous call to the Chesapeake Police Department in February 2023, reporting the predatory relationship.
According to a criminal complaint, Watts’s husband discovered her topless with one of the teens on their couch in the middle of the night. The husband reported the incident to investigators. Watts, who had a son around the same age as the twins, had a close relationship with the neighbors and maintained an open-door policy.
Initially, one of the 15-year-olds denied any sexual activity between them, stating that he had gone to Watts’s home to smoke marijuana and fell asleep on her couch. However, he later disclosed that he had engaged in sexual activity with Watts on multiple occasions and believed they were in love. He stated that when he turned 17, Watts intended to leave her husband and marry him.
In July 2023, there was a physical altercation involving the teen and his mother, leading to the teen running away. He was later found hiding in Watts’s home. Watts was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor at that time.
The other twin also reported inappropriate touching by Watts, receiving pairs of her panties, and being invited into her home to smoke marijuana.
Protective orders were filed against Watts by both sets of parents, and a search of her home revealed large amounts of cash, a prepaid cellphone, and marijuana.
Watts was charged with three counts of indecent acts with a child in August 2023 but was released on bail. She faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted and is awaiting trial while out on bond. Watts and her attorney have not commented on the case, and it is unclear whether she has entered a plea. She is scheduled to appear in court on October 24, 2023.