Former youth care worker charged with grooming underage boy
A 22-year-old Canberra woman employed as a youth care worker was charged with grooming and indecently assaulting a boy under 16.
A woman working as a youth care worker in Canberra met an underage boy through mutual connections and began a pattern of grooming. The woman allegedly bought him vapes, supplied alcohol at a cinema visit, and kissed him.
Later she reportedly exposed herself and indecently touched him, asking for sex, which he declined. When her employer learned of the vapes and alcohol supply in July, she was fired.
The boy reported the abuse to police in September. She was arrested and charged with grooming, committing an act of indecency against a minor, supplying liquor to a young person, and using a communications service to procure sexual activity with a minor.
She was granted bail with strict conditions, including no work with children or contact with the boy. Her case returns to court on 17 November.
- 22 years old
- Accused age
- Under 16
- Victim age
- Canberra
- Location
- 17 November
- Next court date
Why it mattersThe case exposes risks in youth care services when workers abuse positions of trust to groom vulnerable young people.
AustraliaYouth care organisations in Canberra may face new scrutiny over worker screening, supervision and safeguarding of young people.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
