Suspected since 2014, former Olathe youth worker will be registered sex offender
A former employee of a youth mental health facility in Olathe was placed on probation Monday for sex-related charges.
Willis, 27, pleaded no contest in August and was found guilty of indecent liberties with a child and attempted sexual exploitation of a child.
The charges stemmed from incidents in 2013 and 2014, when Willis worked at KidsTLC in Olathe.
The facility provides treatment and therapy for young people with autism and behavioral health issues. Willis worked there from May 2013 to Dec. 3, 2014.
Willis was first investigated in 2014, when a 14-year-old girl reported that he had touched her inappropriately.
But after viewing surveillance video, officials said they could not substantiate the report, according to court documents.
Later in 2014, a 13-year-old resident of the facility reported that Willis had touched her on the buttocks and that he had handed her a note with the word “kiss” and pointed at his lips.
Again, Willis denied the allegations, and again, those incidents could not be seen on surveillance video, according to the documents.
After Willis left his job there, several former residents at the facility were interviewed by police and alleged that Willis had touched them inappropriately.
He was charged last year in Johnson County District Court with six counts, but four of those were dismissed as part his plea agreement.
As part of the agreement, the judge imposed a sentence of three years and eight months in prison. But the sentence was suspended and Willis was placed on probation for three years.
He could be ordered to serve the prison term if he violates any conditions of probation.
This story was originally published November 5, 2018 at 5:55 PM.