A 26-year-old therapist in California has been accused of grooming a boy she met while working at a juvenile detention facility, then sexually abusing him for three months after he was released, according to police. Investigators say the woman used her professional position to build a relationship with the underage boy while he was in custody, before the alleged abuse continued once he returned to the community. The case has drawn attention both for the age gap and for the abuse of trust involved, given her role as a mental health professional working with vulnerable young offenders.

Police describe the alleged abuse as taking place over roughly three months following the boy's release from juvenile hall, though full details of the charges and legal proceedings were not included in the available report. The therapist, whose career and future prospects had reportedly been considered promising, now faces the collapse of that career as a result of the allegations. Further specifics, including her identity, exact charges and the boy's age, were not confirmed in the material provided.