Child therapist charged with rape of a boy while working at Somerset County Youth Aid Home

SOMERSET TWP. — The investigation and resulting accusation a therapist sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy were prompted by "multiple childline reports that alleged inappropriate conversations and contact with multiple juveniles" who live in the Somerset County Youth Aid Home or attend the partial hospitalization program there, according to state police.

Kayla Howard, 30, of Berlin, was arraigned before District Judge William Seger of Windber Friday on charges filed that day by state police. She is charged with rape, forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault: 11 years older, indecent deviant sexual intercourse, first-degree felonies; sexual assault, second-degree felony; institutional sexual assault of minor and corruption of minors, third-degree felonies; and indecent assault person less than 16 years age and indecent exposure, misdemeanors.

The boy, who was 14 at the time of the alleged incidents, told police during an interview April 24 that he was a student in the partial (hospitalization) program at the youth aid home.

The program provides day treatment services for youth ages 12 to 18 years who are experiencing mental health difficulties.

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According to Trooper Kasey Frank in a probable-cause affidavit, Howard, who was employed as a therapist at the Somerset Township aid home during the time in question, is accused by the boy of performing sex acts on him several times and having sex with him on one occasion during one-on-one therapy sessions in her office. The incidents are reported to have occurred from June to August 2023.

The youth told police that "he looked at Howard as an authority figure," Frank wrote. "She had mentioned to him during sessions that if he refused she could reflect that he was refusing to talk in her reports," according to the affidavit.

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The boy knew such a report would keep him at the home for a longer time, Frank wrote.

Howard was released from the Somerset County Jail Tuesday after posting a $100,000 bond, according to online court records.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Child therapist at Somerset Twp. aid home charged with rape of teen