A promising young therapist in California is accused of grooming and sexually abusing a minor she met while he was detained at a juvenile hall, according to a civil lawsuit and felony charges filed against her. Sofia Drotts, 26, who was pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University, allegedly targeted the then-17-year-old boy during therapy sessions at the Contra Costa County juvenile hall.
Drotts began working with the boy in 2024 while he was in detention, using their sessions to establish an inappropriate connection, the lawsuit alleges. The suit claims she abused her position to set herself up as his girlfriend rather than providing him with necessary mental healthcare. Prosecutors have charged Drotts with seven felony counts, including unlawful sexual intercourse, oral copulation of a person under 18, sexual penetration by a foreign object, sending harmful matter to a minor, and possessing child pornography.
The lawsuit, filed by the boy's parents against Contra Costa County, asserts that the alleged grooming began when the boy was 15. It states that Drotts exploited her access to his records to further manipulate and coerce him. The suit claims the boy was effectively locked inside juvenile hall with his abuser, and that supervisors failed to notice the misconduct.
After the boy's release in April of this year, the suit alleges that Drotts continued her sexual relationship with him. During this period, she reportedly continued to participate in meetings with other healthcare professionals regarding his treatment as part of a "wraparound care" program. The lawsuit further claims that Drotts conducted therapy sessions in her car and invited the boy to stay at her home, encouraging him to miss school and disregard his curfew.
Authorities reportedly became aware of the situation after a search of the boy's home in June, which led to Drotts' arrest. The civil suit contends that Contra Costa County failed to implement adequate safety protocols and procedural safeguards to investigate red flags or report suspected abuse and misconduct.
The boy's mother, Sage Moala, stated that their trust in professionals was betrayed and shattered, emphasizing their focus on her son's recovery. The family's attorney, John Burris, described Drotts' conduct as deeply offensive and a violation of professional standards meant to protect vulnerable clients.
Contra Costa Health acknowledged awareness of the claim involving a former temporary employee and allegations concerning a minor. Due to the active legal and personnel matter, the department stated it could not provide further comment. Lawyer information for Drotts was unavailable at the time of publication. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $100,000.