BRANDON, Fla. — A foster home employee was arrested for performing sexual acts on a foster child who lived there, Hillsborough County deputies report.
Katherine Stricklin, 28, worked as a youth counselor at A Kid's Place of Tampa Bay.
On Sept. 11, a teen boy who lived at the group home reportedly told deputies that Stricklin had initiated a conversation with him on Snapchat, sending explicit images and discussing wanting to perform sexual acts on him.
After the teen blocked Stricklin on social media, she continued to pressure him into sexual activity, according to deputies.
"Sticklin even went as far as going into the shared men's bathroom while he was in it alone, and began to perform sexual acts on him," the sheriff's office wrote.
Stricklin was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious touching of a minor 16 or 17 years old and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
"The crimes committed by this woman are vile and cruel," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "She should be ashamed of taking advantage of someone she was trusted to care for and mentor. I hope he is able to begin healing knowing this woman is behind bars.”
