LI Child Therapist Sentenced to 7 Years for Child Pornography

Renee Hoberman, of Plainview, traded in 'horrifying' videos of abused infants and toddlers while working as a mental health counselor.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A federal judge sentenced Renee Hoberman, a 37-year-old child therapist from Plainview, Long Island, to 7 years in prison for trading in child pornography involving infants and toddlers. Hoberman, who had a Master's degree in social work, was offering mental health counseling to children at the time of her arrest in 2024. Prosecutors said she confessed to receiving sexual gratification from the videos and that investigators found over 100 files of child sexual abuse material on her devices, including some described as the 'worst of the worst'.

Why it matters

This case highlights the disturbing reality that even those entrusted to care for children can also exploit and abuse them. Hoberman's crimes are a betrayal of the public's trust and raise serious questions about how to better screen and monitor those working with vulnerable youth populations.

The details

Hoberman pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors said she exchanged three short videos of young children being sexually abused, all infants or toddlers, which added up to 'two minutes of agony for babies who were never identified.' Investigators later found over 100 additional files of even more 'depraved, sordid and shocking' child sexual abuse material on Hoberman's devices. At the time of her arrest, Hoberman was offering mental health counseling for a company with an office in Melville, and had previously worked at a daycare facility and a school for autistic children.

  • Hoberman was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations on October 23, 2024.
  • Hoberman was indicted by a grand jury in November 2024 on charges of receipt, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material.
  • Hoberman pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution in June 2026.

The players

Renee Hoberman

A 37-year-old child therapist from Plainview, Long Island who had a Master's degree in social work and was offering mental health counseling to children at the time of her arrest.

U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert

The federal judge who sentenced Hoberman to 7 years in prison, stating that a minimum sentence of 5 years was not enough punishment given the severity of Hoberman's crimes.

Kaitlin McTague

The Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case against Hoberman and sought a prison sentence of 12 years, 7 months, the high end of the agreed upon guideline sentence.

Evan Sugar

Hoberman's defense attorney who argued her career working with children was an example of a healthy way she processed past trauma, including being sexually abused herself.

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What they’re saying

“I need to protect the public from the defendant.”

— U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert (Newsday)

“We're talking about babies. It's just unimaginable.”

— U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert (Newsday)

“It is truly a horrific thing to wrap your head around.”

— Kaitlin McTague, Assistant U.S. Attorney (Newsday)

What’s next

Hoberman will begin serving her 7-year prison sentence immediately. Upon her eventual release, she has vowed to remain sober and 'find a new purpose in life'.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for rigorous background checks, ongoing monitoring, and comprehensive mental health support for all professionals working with vulnerable youth populations. Betrayals of public trust like this erode confidence and highlight systemic failures that must be addressed to protect the most innocent victims.