Employee of an eating disorder treatment center in Ohio arrested for sexually abusing a patient

The Emily Program building. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin County Auditor)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An employee at an eating disorder program in north Columbus is in court Wednesday after being accused of sexually abusing a patient.

According to court documents, 26-year-old Amanda Stetzer is accused of sexual assault of a patient or inmate and distribution of material harmful to minors. Stetzer is accused of having a sexual relationship with a patient at The Emily Program Eating Disorder Outpatient Treatment Center in the Northwoods area of ​​Worthington.

The 17-year-old patient said she was enrolled in the Emily program in June, according to police. When she arrived at the facility, she met Stetzer to fill out paperwork. The victim said Stetzer put his hand on her leg and slapped her bottom in the shared bathroom.

The two allegedly exchanged numbers and the victim said Stetzer gave her additional privileges, such as use of a cell phone and staying up after hours. Stetzer then reportedly told the victim to come up with reasons to go to a group room after work so they could be intimate.

The victim said the two also drove around in Stetzer’s car and had sex in the back seat. She told police that all encounters lasted about 25 minutes so as not to arouse suspicion in others. The last two encounters occurred on June 20 and 23, police said.

According to court documents, Stetzer told the victim not to tell anyone because she had a child and did not want to lose her job. A LinkedIn profile listed Stetzer as a behavioral therapist for the Emily program.

Stetzer is also said to have sent explicit texts and images to the victim via social media. These images were saved, police said.

Stetzer was arrested Tuesday and was given a $100,000 bond by a Franklin County Municipal Court judge on Wednesday. Her next court date is scheduled for July 19 for a preliminary hearing.