Chain
February 4th, 2006, 02:07 AM
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http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/2/2/142255.html
Mental health counselor charged
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Hays had worked at the Peace River Center since last summer.
A Polk County mental health counselor was arrested Wednesday for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Investigators said Terrence Hays, who worked at the Peace River Center mental health organization in Bartow, smoked marijuana with a 16-year-old girl he was supposed to be helping kick a drug problem.
Investigators said Hays, of 1652 Mahaffey Circle in Lakeland, visited the girl at her home in Lakeland and they smoked marijuana together. She drank alcohol and they watched a porn video.
The girl secretly taped the episode and later showed it to her parents, who called law enforcement.
"When asked why she videotaped the incident, she said she videotapes her friends when they visit," said Polk County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Carrie Rodgers. "But we know that he did not know that he was on tape. We're not sure where the video camera was secluded, but it was aimed right at where he was located."
The Peace River Center said Hays, 29, has worked for the 350-employee company since last summer and all his background checks with law enforcement were spotless.
"Not only that, he had additional fantastic references," said Margaret Perry of the Peace River Center. "He has a master's degree and he was working on his PhD."
The center forbids fraternization between employees and clients.
The Peace River Center fired Hays following his arrest.
"Our policy is that there is no fraternization with clients and certain inappropriate behavior is unacceptable," Perry said.
The sheriff's office says it is not releasing the videotape because of the victim's age.
Hays was released from the Polk County Jail on $500 bond. He did not return calls seeking comment.
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/2/2/142255.html
Mental health counselor charged
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Hays had worked at the Peace River Center since last summer.
A Polk County mental health counselor was arrested Wednesday for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Investigators said Terrence Hays, who worked at the Peace River Center mental health organization in Bartow, smoked marijuana with a 16-year-old girl he was supposed to be helping kick a drug problem.
Investigators said Hays, of 1652 Mahaffey Circle in Lakeland, visited the girl at her home in Lakeland and they smoked marijuana together. She drank alcohol and they watched a porn video.
The girl secretly taped the episode and later showed it to her parents, who called law enforcement.
"When asked why she videotaped the incident, she said she videotapes her friends when they visit," said Polk County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Carrie Rodgers. "But we know that he did not know that he was on tape. We're not sure where the video camera was secluded, but it was aimed right at where he was located."
The Peace River Center said Hays, 29, has worked for the 350-employee company since last summer and all his background checks with law enforcement were spotless.
"Not only that, he had additional fantastic references," said Margaret Perry of the Peace River Center. "He has a master's degree and he was working on his PhD."
The center forbids fraternization between employees and clients.
The Peace River Center fired Hays following his arrest.
"Our policy is that there is no fraternization with clients and certain inappropriate behavior is unacceptable," Perry said.
The sheriff's office says it is not releasing the videotape because of the victim's age.
Hays was released from the Polk County Jail on $500 bond. He did not return calls seeking comment.