‘Somewhat worldly and familiar with adult things’: Florida teen’s testimony allowed at accused abusive stepmom Alexis Von Yates’ trial

Content warning: This article describes child sexual abuse. Please take care while reading.

In a bombshell ruling that could turn the trial of accused child abuser Alexis Von Yates into a media firestorm, a Florida judge has ruled that the shocking testimony of a 15-year-old boy—her stepson—will be allowed in court.

Yates stands accused of sexually abusing the boy during a summer visit to Florida in July 2024. The details, though too graphic to report in full, have stunned investigators and now threaten to destroy the life of the woman once seen as a trusted parental figure.

But it’s the teen’s own words—emotional, explicit, and disturbingly adult—that convinced the court.

A “Worldly” teen and a “f—ed up” family secret

According to newly released court documents, the teen didn’t hold back in a recorded forensic interview with child protection officials. The judge described him as “particularly intelligent and mature,” noting he appeared “somewhat worldly and familiar with adult things.”

Among the more jaw-dropping details? He admitted to smoking weed “pretty much every day” while in Florida and using THC vapes—even the night of the alleged incident.

Despite his drug use, the judge found the teen’s memory sharp and his emotional reaction heartbreakingly raw. He called the entire situation “f—ed up,” described himself as “infatuated” with Yates, and said returning home to Washington, D.C., felt like going through a “breakup.”

He called the dad’s attempted cover-up “a really p—y thing to do”

According to documents, the teen also said his father, Yates’ husband, caught them in the act and then tried to hush it up, urging him not to tell his mother or the police. “A really p—y thing to do,” the teen said, blasting his dad for attempting to sweep it all under the rug.

Critics might point to the four-week gap between the incident and the child’s official statement, but the court says the delay makes sense. The boy had to return to D.C., get distance from the chaos, and finally speak freely with a forensic expert. His account, captured on video, was detailed, uncoached, and deeply personal.

The judge ruled the teen’s statements had the “ring of truth,” citing his emotional openness and willingness to admit to actions that painted himself in a negative light—like drug use and lingering feelings for his alleged abuser.

No sign of coaching—just raw emotion

Crucially, the court found zero evidence that the teen was coached, manipulated, or influenced by any domestic drama. While his parents are divorced, there was no sign of a custody battle or vendetta that might explain a false accusation. The court noted the teen had no motive to lie.

He reportedly told multiple people about the incident before the official interview, bolstering the reliability of his claims.

What’s next for Yates?

Yates now heads to trial with the full weight of her stepson’s harrowing testimony on the record. Prosecutors will likely lean heavily on his statements, which now carry the full backing of the court. If convicted, Yates faces serious prison time and national infamy.