Columbus social worker charged with sexual abuse of teenage client

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Gahanna woman who works as a psychotherapist in Columbus is accused of sexually abusing a young girl at the facility.

On June 26, 27-year-old Amanda Stetzer was charged with sexual abuse and distribution of content harmful to minors.

Franklin County Municipal Court records show the alleged juvenile victim said she was enrolled in the Emily Program, an eating disorder treatment facility located at 8001 Ravines Edge Court. She told investigators Stetzer was responsible for daily activities and enforcing rules at the facility.

The teen told investigators that on her first day, Stetzer came into her room and sat next to her on the bed. They were filling out paperwork when Stetzer put her hand on the teen’s thigh, court records show. Shortly afterward, Stetzer also reportedly slapped the teen on the butt while she was in the shared bathroom.

According to court documents, Stetzer and the teen exchanged phone numbers. The teen told investigators that Stetzer allowed her to stay up later than scheduled and let her use her phone when she wasn’t allowed to.

Stetzer allegedly sent the teenager sexual text messages and nude photos of himself via Snapchat.

The teenager told investigators about two incidents in which she and Stetzer met and engaged in sexual activity. The encounters took place on June 20 and 23.

On another occasion, the teenager said, the two were in Stetzer’s car when Stetzer later performed sexual acts on her.

According to court documents, the teenager said most of their encounters lasted about 25 minutes because “any longer, Stetzer said, the others would become suspicious.”

According to court documents, Stetzer reportedly told the teenager several times not to tell anyone about her plans because she had a child and did not want to lose her job.

A spokesperson for The Emily Project told 10TV that Stetzer is no longer employed by the company.

“We are taking this situation very seriously and are also conducting our internal investigation,” the spokesman said in a statement. The company is also cooperating with the authorities in the investigation.

Stetzer appeared in municipal court Wednesday morning and was given bail of $100,000.

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