A Florida therapist is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old boy she was counseling.
Law enforcement launched an investigation after learning of the allegations against Elizabeth Blanchard in late August, according to WJXT.
Court documents say the teen was in group counseling at EPIC Behavioral Healthcare in St. Augustine but got into trouble during a session, and his visits became one-on-one.
The victim told investigators that Blanchard began flirting with him and began contacting him via text and phone calls after the first three sessions. The contact escalated to kissing and sex, the boy said.
The encounters took place at Blanchard’s office and at a hotel in St. Johns County, where investigators found surveillance video showing the two arriving and entering a room together.
The documents say Blanchard also sent money to the teen, ranging from $5 to $9,000.
The 34-year-old Blanchard, who was fired from EPIC before her arrest, has been charged with nine felonies, including sexual assault by an authority figure against a minor and lewd and lascivious battery on a minor, WJAX said.
In an email to clients and parents obtained by the station, EPIC said Blanchard was fired for “walking off campus with a minor client.” A week later, the company said, a parent accused her of having an inappropriate relationship with a teen.
EPIC said in a statement released dto the public it was “saddened” by Blanchard’s arrest. CEO Nangela Pulsfus said the therapist’s behavior “goes against the values and standards of our company,” WJXT said.
The company said it had revised some policies in light of the arrest to further safeguard clients, particularly underaged clients.
“This is the 1st time in EPIC’s 50-year history that an instance like this has occurred and it is devastating to us. The safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff is our top priority and we will continue to review and take any necessary steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen again,” Development Diretor Teresa Andrews said.
Blanchard is being held on a $267,000 bond and is due in court on November 7, according to WJAX.
