Newport Beach Woman Leila Bauer Under Fire for Alleged Minor Relationship

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Leila Bauer, a 21-year-old Newport Beach resident, is facing mounting scrutiny over an alleged inappropriate relationship with Vlad Chiriac, a minor currently aged 16 or 17, during October and November 2024. The controversy stems from Bauer’s 21st birthday party at the Newport Beach Whaler, where she was reportedly seen twerking on Chiriac and, according to sources, later engaged in a physical encounter with him. The two were also spotted together multiple times during that period, fueling concerns about their interactions, with several videos and photos of them together having recently surfaced. Bauer has since attempted to justify her actions, stating, “Vlad has a gf that’s older than me,” in reference to Chiriac’s current relationship.

The incident at the Newport Beach Whaler, believed to have occurred late last year, has drawn attention due to Chiriac’s age—still below California’s legal consent threshold of 18 as of March 2025—and the approximately four-to-five-year gap between him and Bauer. Witnesses at the popular coastal venue reported Bauer dancing provocatively with Chiriac in front of party guests, raising questions about their relationship. Sources allege a subsequent “hookup,” though specifics remain unclear. Multiple sightings of Bauer and Chiriac together around Newport Beach throughout October and November 2024 indicate their contact was not limited to the birthday event, a pattern now supported by the emergence of several videos and photos showing them together during that timeframe.

In response to the allegations, Bauer has pointed to Chiriac’s current situation, claiming, “Vlad has a gf that’s older than me,” suggesting that his present relationship with an older partner mitigates scrutiny of her past actions. She has not elaborated on the identity or age of Chiriac’s alleged girlfriend, nor clarified how this pertains to their interactions when he was 16 or 17 in late 2024. Chiriac, now still a minor, has not publicly addressed the claims or Bauer’s statement.

California law deems sexual activity with a minor under 18 unlawful (Penal Code Section 261.5), with potential statutory rape charges depending on the circumstances, regardless of consent. Bauer’s age difference with Chiriac places her conduct in a legally sensitive zone, though no charges have been reported as of Saturday. The recently surfaced videos and photos, while not yet fully detailed in public reports, could provide critical evidence if authorities pursue an investigation.

Bauer maintains an Instagram presence under @leila, where her late 2024 posts show casual beach outings with no hint of the controversy. Chiriac, active on Instagram as @imvladdy, has also remained silent online.

Authorities have not confirmed an active investigation, though the emergence of visual evidence may shift the trajectory of the case. Bauer’s claim about Chiriac’s current girlfriend has stirred debate in Newport Beach, with some dismissing it as irrelevant to her actions as a 21-year-old with a minor, while others await further context.

Legal experts emphasize that if the surfaced videos and photos corroborate a physical relationship, Bauer’s interactions with Chiriac—then and now a minor—could trigger law enforcement action, irrespective of his current dating status. The situation remains unresolved, with Bauer’s defense and the new evidence adding layers to an already contentious narrative. Updates will follow as more details emerge.