Fla. woman in sex case a fugitive

VERO BEACH, Fla., March 8 (UPI) -- A Florida woman released on bail in a sex-crime case where she faces a 30-year sentence is now considered a fugitive, authorities say.

Denise Harvey, 43, formerly of Vero Beach, was released from jail in 2008 under a $150,000 bail after appealing her conviction of repeatedly having sex with a 16-year-old friend of her son, TCPalm.com reported Tuesday.

The Fourth District Court of Appeal denied her appeal in 2010, but allowed her attorney to take the case to the Florida Supreme Court.

In the meantime, the district court said, Harvey should turn herself in, and gave a deadline of Feb. 25.

Investigators sent to Harvey's last known address in Deltona found she wasn't living there and "hadn't been for months," Assistant State Attorney Nikki Robinson said Monday.

On March 1, a warrant was issued for her arrest. "We do not know where she is." Robinson said.

If Harvey doesn't surrender to authorities she could face an addition charge punishable by up to five years in state prison, the Web site reported.

"She's on the run," Robinson said.