A licensed group home in St. Augustine is at the center of a criminal investigation after a caregiver was accused of sexually abusing a vulnerable adult resident. Authorities say 41-year-old Micah Hatcher of Palatka was taken into custody on July 21, 2026, and now faces multiple felony charges tied to his work at the facility.
Investigation and arrest
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit opened the case on June 22 and reports that the alleged abuse happened between April and June 2026 while Hatcher was employed at the group home. According to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, the victim is a vulnerable adult whose medical conditions, as noted in the affidavit, significantly limit the ability to understand or consent to sexual activity.
Investigators say Hatcher was located and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Clay County. He is currently being held at the Clay County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond while the case moves through the court system.
Alleged grooming and digital evidence
Court records reviewed by News4JAX state that the victim moved into the licensed group home on Ervin Street in April 2026 and that Hatcher was responsible for supervising as many as six residents at a time. The affidavit describes a pattern of alleged grooming, including promises of a PlayStation 5, an iPhone and a debit card to influence and manipulate the resident.
Investigators say Hatcher told the resident to skip "life skills" outings and stay behind, which allegedly created opportunities for one-on-one contact. Detectives report that they recovered text messages and tracked a TextNow account, which had been used to impersonate the suspect's "niece," back to an iCloud email address linked to Hatcher.
Charges and legal context
The probable cause affidavit lists three felony counts: lewd or lascivious battery on a disabled person, sexual battery on a person under 18 by a person 18 or older, and sexual misconduct by an employee with a client who has a disability, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Under Florida law, offenses involving elderly or disabled adults fall under Chapter 825 of the Florida Statutes, which treat a person’s inability to consent as a central element of the crime and carry felony penalties. As with all criminal cases, the allegations are subject to review in court, and Hatcher is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Group home rules and oversight
Florida’s licensing and administrative rules for programs serving people with disabilities require staff to report incidents promptly and to follow supervision practices that are meant to limit unsupervised one-on-one contact. The Florida Administrative Code details standards for physical sites, staffing and incident reporting for licensed programs, as laid out in the Florida Administrative Code. Violations can lead to administrative penalties and, in more serious situations, referrals to law enforcement for criminal investigation.
How to report suspected abuse
If you believe a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited, you can call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or file a report online at reportabuse.myflfamilies.com, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. DCF’s Adult Protective Services unit works alongside law enforcement and guardians to investigate reports and help arrange protections for at-risk adults.
Provider response and what’s next
News4JAX reports that a call to the number listed for Out and About People Incorporated, the provider associated with the home, reached a disconnected line, and the organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment in the outlet’s published account.
Prosecutors and investigators are expected to keep reviewing the affidavit and any additional evidence as they move toward formal charging decisions and future court dates. Members of the public who may have information related to the case are encouraged to contact local law enforcement. The allegations remain just that for now, and Hatcher maintains the legal presumption of innocence unless a court finds otherwise.
