US youth counsellor charged with sexually abusing 14-year-old boy

Cedar Rapids (United States): A former counselor at Four Oaks, a residential treatment facility for minors in Cedar Rapids, in the US state of Iowa has been charged with sexual abuse and exploitation of one of the facility’s residents, according to court filings.

Danielle Hook, 29, was arrested and charged with third-degree sexual abuse, sexual exploitation by a counselor, and harboring a runaway.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Linn County District Court, an investigation by the Iowa Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court officials discovered an alleged improper sexual relationship between Hook and a 14-year-old boy who lived at a Four Oaks facility where she was employed as a youth counselor. The exploitation took place between July 1, 2017, and November 30, 2018, according to Linn County Attorneys.

Investigators also discovered Hook gave birth to the teen’s child, which was confirmed by a DNA test, according to the criminal complaint. The teen is now 16.

Hook, accused of sexually abusing a teen boy and later giving birth to his child, is expected to plead guilty in March.

After Hook was fired from Four Oaks, it was discovered the teen was living with her in Marion when juvenile authorities were searching for him, according to an investigation by the Iowa Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court Services.