Fla. Therapist Accused of Sexually Abusing 15-Year-Old Boy She Met During Counseling Sessions

Mar. 15, 2025

Elizabeth Blanchard.Photo:St. Johns Sherifs Office

Elizabeth Blanchard

St. Johns Sherifs Office

A Florida therapist is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy she had been counseling.

The arrest warrant alleges that Blanchard began texting, calling and flirting with the teen. Eventually, authorities claim, it escalated into sex abuse.

Blanchard allegedly committed the abuse in her office, as well as in a hotel in St. John’s County, which she booked just to have sex with the teen, police allege in the warrant.

In the warrant, authorities further allege that Blanchard bought the teen vape pens and alcoholic beverages and sent him money — up to $9,000 — several times on Cash App.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

It is not immediately clear if Blanchard has entered a plea.

News4Jaxreported that EPIC said in a statement that it had terminated Blanchard.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com