State Attorney Dennis Ward announced on July 22 that Kia Lynn Cadogan, 37, has been sentenced to 13 years in Florida state prison, followed by 8 years of probation, including one year of sex offender supervision. Cadogan entered a plea of no contest to sexual battery, incest and child neglect, and was adjudicated guilty by Circuit Judge Mark Jones.
The charges stem from a multi-jurisdictional investigation into prolonged sexual abuse and exploitation that occurred while Cadogan and her family lived aboard a sailboat in Marathon in the Florida Keys. Evidence established that Cadogan not only participated in the sexual abuse of a minor child but also failed to protect multiple children from ongoing harm. During the investigation, a second victim — a teenager — was also identified.
Assistant state attorney Colleen Dunne, the lead major crimes prosecutor, handled the case for the state, presenting extensive forensic interviews, digital evidence and witness statements to establish both Cadogan’s direct involvement and her willful inaction. The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin, where the Cadogans later moved.
“This is one of the most horrifying cases we’ve prosecuted,” said Ward. “The level of betrayal and abuse is almost unimaginable. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our legal team — especially assistant state attorney Colleen Dunne — and our dedicated law enforcement partners, Kia Cadogan is finally being held accountable. There is no expiration date on accountability. We are not finished.”
Chief assistant state attorney Joseph Mansfield added:
“This wasn’t just child abuse — this was a calculated, sustained campaign of sexual exploitation within what should have been the safest place: a child’s own home. Kia Cadogan’s actions were depraved, and her willingness to expose multiple children to trauma is nothing short of evil. Our job is to stand between predators like this and the children they target — and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
In addition to her 13-year sentence for sexual battery, Cadogan received concurrent five-year sentences for both incest and child neglect. She will be subject to court-ordered supervision and will be required to register as a sex predator for life.
Cadogan’s husband, Eric Edward Cadogan, was previously convicted in federal court in 2024 for the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material and sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release.
“Let me be clear: we are not deferring to the federal system,” said Ward. “These were Florida children, harmed in Florida, and they deserve Florida justice. Eric Cadogan will be held fully accountable in this state for the crimes he committed here.”
Although Eric Cadogan is currently incarcerated in federal prison, the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office has filed additional state charges, which remain pending. These include sexual battery, lewd and lascivious conduct, child neglect, child cruelty and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
