LYNNWOOD — The state Department of Health has denied a mental health worker’s application to practice in Washington following allegations that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old client.
Lyndon Boyd, 27, can ask for a hearing to contest the state’s decision.
Boyd was charged with child molestation in February. He is accused of fondling a teenage client, who struggles with severe depression. A jury could not reach a verdict in April, and Boyd is scheduled to be retried next month.
The Lynnwood man began working for Compass Health late last year. He testified that he was hired in November after a phone interview. He said before Compass Health hired him he worked in Las Vegas as a behavioral health specialist, a job he performed as an independent contractor.
Boyd was assigned seven families about a week after starting at Compass Health. He was hired to coordinate care for the families with mental health needs. Boyd applied for state credentials to practice as an agency-affiliated counselor in January.
An applicant can work as a counselor for up to two months while the application is pending, according to the state.
In December, Boyd was assigned to work with a Lynnwood family, whose 13-year-old son was receiving services from Compass Health. Boyd was tasked with working with the teen’s family to identify his needs. The teen struggled with waking up on time to make it to school.
Boyd agreed to come to the boy’s house in the morning to help his mother wake the teen.
Boyd was arrested Feb. 1 after the patient’s mother reported that she found her half-dressed son sitting on Boyd’s lap.
The teen reportedly told detectives that Boyd fondled him and pulled him onto his lap. He also told police that the counselor made inappropriate comments the first day.
The defendant allegedly disrobed in front of the teen at a public pool and asked the patient if he’d seen his penis, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Robert Grant wrote in charging papers. A week later the teen woke up to Boyd lying on his bed.
Boyd allegedly admitted to detectives his behavior wasn’t appropriate. He denied fondling the boy.
Boyd no longer works for Compass Health.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.
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