Palm Coast therapist accused of molesting underage patient, authorities say

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A Palm Coast therapist was arrested Tuesday for allegedly molesting a child he had been providing therapy services for over the last five months, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Robert Neal Batie, 60, is being charged with sexual battery while in custodial authority, two counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors and sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office on June 29 received a report from a juvenile who said she had been sexually molested the day before while attending her most recent session, when Batie engaged in several unlawful acts of sexual misconduct with her, the sheriff’s office said.

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The Major Crimes Unit responded to Palm Coast Counseling, LLC. Batie’s employment there “coincidentally ended that same week,” the sheriff’s office said.

After gathering corroborating evidence and receiving a biological report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, detectives on Tuesday secured a warrant for Batie, and located him at his new place of employment, AZA Health in Daytona Beach. He was taken into custody.

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“This was a remarkable joint effort between our Major Case Unit Detectives and DBPD to get this guy off the street,” said Sheriff Rick Staly said in a news release. “I want to thank the detectives for their tireless efforts to bring justice to this victim and her family. This disgusting pervert is now in jail where he belongs and can no longer prey on children. I applaud the victim for speaking out and hope she gains some closure with his arrest.”

Batie is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail and is awaiting transport to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is being held without bond.

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There is no evidence suggesting that there are any additional victims, the sheriff’s office said.

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