‘Girl in the Closet’: Woman who spent childhood in abusive home indicted for sexually assaulting teen girl

A Texas woman widely known for surviving a traumatic childhood locked inside of a closet is now facing charges of sexually assaulting a teen girl.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Lauren Ashley Kavanaugh, 25, was arrested late last year on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

At that time, she reportedly acknowledged meeting the girl through a Facebook page called “The Lauren Kavanaugh Story” and sparking a relationship with her that lasted several months.

After her arrest, she was locked up in the Denton County Jail with bond set at $10,000 and was expected to face criminal charges of sexual assault of a child.

A grand jury found sufficient evidence to indict Kavanaugh on three counts, according to the U.K. Daily Mail.

Lewisville police became involved in the case after receiving a tip that the alleged victim had been involved in a “sexual relationship” with the suspect for about two months, as reported by the Dallas Morning News.

Investigators said they believed additional victims could be possible and encouraged local parents to ask their kids if they had engaged in inappropriate contact with Kavanaugh.

Known as ‘The Girl in the Closet,’ Kavanaugh received significant media attention — including a 2017 appearance on “Dr. Phil” — following her release in June 2001 from her parents’ home at the age of 8 after years of abuse and starvation.

RELATED: Laura Kavanaugh: ‘Girl in the Closet’ opens up 15 years later

Mother Barbara Atkinson and stepfather Kenneth Atkinson were convicted of felony injury to a child and were both sentenced to life behind bars with the possibility of parole in 2031.

[Featured image: Lauren Kavanaugh, Denton County Jail]