A nonprofit that serves at-risk and foster youth in Northern California has been thrust into the limelight after police arrested one of its longtime mentors for allegedly committing sexual battery on a minor.
The suspect, identified as Patrick Dauphin, was taken into custody on Nov. 20 from the 100 block of Thyme Avenue in Morgan Hill after police received reports of a 17-year-old boy being sexually assaulted.
Prior to his termination four days later, the 45-year-old was a facilitator for Unity Care Group, which is associated with Santa Clara County Probation Department, Department of Family Children Services and County behavioral Health, according to police.
"It was being alleged by the minor that Patrick touched him in an inappropriate way during a mentoring session," said Sgt. Carson Thomas with the Morgan Hill Police Department.
The teen said the incident occurred at a home in Morgan Hill that police say is associated with Dauphin. It is unclear whether the suspect owned, rented or lived in the residence.
In a statement issued Monday, Unity Care officials said Dauphin was fired on Nov. 24 for breaching the organization's professional boundaries policy, as it is called.
"The alleged isolated incident of misconduct did not occur at any Unity Care facility," the statement continued. "This is the first time in the nonprofit organization’s 22‐year history that a Unity Care employee or volunteer has been arrested for an allegation of misconduct involving youth."
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According to police, Dauphin has worked with Unity Care, which annually works with about 6,000 troubled youth throughout Northern California, for about 10 years. Police estimated that he was currently working with 10 minors in trouble with the law.
"We know Patrick has worked in Santa Clara County and Sacramento," Thomas said. "We’re asking anyone who has come in contact with him to call the Morgan Hill police."
Police are asking other victims or people who may know victims to call Detective Sheena Pevehouse of the Morgan Hill Police Department at (408) 779-2101 or use the anonymous tip line at (408) 947- 7867.
