Youth counselor in Florida charged with sexual abuse of foster child in group home

BRANDON, Fla. (WPEC) — A Florida youth counselor is behind bars after being accused of performing sexual acts on a foster child who lived in a group home.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the investigation into the alleged misconduct began Wednesday after the foster child at A Kid's Place of Tampa Bay reported the incident.

According to officials, the child reported that Katherine Sticklin, who worked at the dorm, started a conversation with the student on Snapchat. According to officials, she sent him explicit pictures and talked about wanting to perform sexual acts with him.

HCSO says the child blocked her on the social media platform, but she continued to pressure him into sexual acts. Officers allege Sticklin, 28, even followed the child into the shared men's restroom when he was alone and began performing sexual acts on him.

“The crimes this woman committed are heinous and cruel,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “She should be ashamed of taking advantage of someone she trusted as a caregiver and mentor. I hope he can begin to heal knowing this woman is behind bars.”

Sticklin was arrested and charged with lewd or lascivious touching of a minor, age 16 or 17, by a person age 24 or older, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.