Pender Co. woman facing statutory rape charges

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Deputies with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve charged a woman in connection with a statutory rape investigation.

Deputies said Paula Lee Pearson is facing charges including statutory rape, and indecent liberties with a child. She was booked under a $300,000 bond after being extradited from Missouri, deputies said.

Investigators said when Pearson lived in Hampstead last year, she had a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old.