Central Florida nursing home employee arrested for sexual acts with minors

A nursing home employee in central Florida was arrested for engaging in sexual activity with a minor.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a youth worker at A Kid's Place in Tampa Bay for engaging in sexual conduct with a minor resident there.

This month, investigators with the Special Victims Section began investigating the misconduct of 28-year-old Katherine Sticklin. A foster child at the group home reported that Sticklin had initiated a conversation with him on Snapchat in which she sent him explicit images and talked about wanting to perform sexual acts with him.

After the teen blocked Sticklin on social media, she continued to pressure him into engaging in sexual acts. Sticklin even went so far as to go into the men's restroom when he was alone and began performing sexual acts on him.

Using investigative techniques, investigators were able to verify the allegations and arrest Sticklin. She was charged with lewd or lascivious touching of a minor 16 or 17 years of age by a person 24 years of age or older and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor (x3).

“The crimes this woman committed are heinous and cruel,” said Hillsborough County 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.”

According to local law enforcement authorities, this investigation is still ongoing.