Ex-counselor accused of sex with mental health patient

In December 2023, a Snohomish County Superior Court judge granted Brown’s request to vacate her felony conviction. In January 2024, a judge granted her request vacating her felony record.

EVERETT — A former Compass Health counselor used to meet up with a mental health patient a couple blocks from the shelter where she worked — and he lived — so she could drive him to her house for sex, according prosecutors.

Prosecutors on Monday charged Carli R. Brown, 25, with indecent liberties, a felony. She is accused of having sex with the man, 25, who suffers from mental problems so severe that he reportedly at one point believed he was Adolf Hitler.

Brown provided general support for clients at Haven House, a facility that provides housing, medication, counseling and supervision for mentally ill homeless young adults.*

She was responsible for teaching patients independent living skills, developing and monitoring treatment plans and providing counseling to residents, according to court documents filed Monday in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The patient moved into Haven House in September 2006. He told investigators he was psychotic at the time, viewing himself as Hitler, documents show. He spoke with Brown about his delusions and he also talked to her about the crush he had on another staff member. The man told investigators Brown confessed she had feelings for him about a year later. The two began to exchange letters and discussed a sexual relationship, according to court documents.

Brown eventually gave the man her home address, phone number and change so he could call her from a pay phone.

The pair arranged to meet a couple blocks from the Haven House at the end of September. Brown picked the man up and they drove to the beach and her house, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Cindy Larsen wrote in court records.

The pair engaged in sex and the man stayed overnight at Brown’s house, Larsen wrote. She dropped him off the next day a few blocks away from the shelter. The pair had sex at least three different times. The man also told investigators Brown would sometimes rub up against him while they were at the shelter.

Brown quit working at Haven House in November and stopped seeing the man, according to court records. The man told another counselor at shelter about his relationship with Brown. The allegations were reported to the state Department of Social and Health Services and Everett police.

The man gave police several letters Brown allegedly wrote him. In the letters she talked about having children with him and their sexual relations. One letter indicates that Brown was in training where “they’re preaching ethics as I write this,” court documents said.

Investigators interviewed Brown, who allegedly told police she and the man did have sex and she had written him letters, Larsen wrote.

The state suspended Brown’s counselor’s license in March. A disciplinary board found her actions to be an abuse of “a position of trust and a violation of the patient/practitioner boundaries.”

Brown was hired by Compass Health in 2006. Compass Health is a nonprofit organization that provides mental health services in Snohomish, Island, Skagit and San Juan counties.

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

*Correction, May 17, 2008: This article originally misstated the job responsibilities of Compass Health employee Carli R. Brown.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers walk in and out of Fred Meyer along Evergreen Way on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council rebukes Kroger for plans to close Fred Meyer store

In the resolution approved by 6-1 vote, the Everett City Council referred to store closure as “corporate neglect.”

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Arlington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
A divided Arlington City Council votes to reduce SkyFest grant by half

After months of debate over lodging tax funds, the council voted 4-3 to award the popular aviation event $20,000.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood jail costs expected to exceed budget by end of 2025

As of September, the Stanwood police has spent $53,078 of its $59,482 annual jail budget.

Alex Waggoner is handcuffed after being sentenced to 19 years for the murder of Abdulkadir Shariif Gedi on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds man sentenced to more than 19 years for death of rideshare driver

Judge Richard Okrent sentenced Alex Waggoner, 23, Wednesday after a jury earlier found him guilty of murder in the 2nd degree.

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office K-9 vehicle along U.S. 2 where a man was shot on Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)
Suspect arrested in King County after person shot near Sultan along US 2

The assault investigation closed down east and westbound lanes of U.S. 2 Wednesday afternoon.

Traffic moves around parts of the roundabout at the new I-5/SR529 interchange on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WSDOT delays opening of Marysville interchange, ramps

Supply chain issues caused the agency to push back opening date. The full interchange and off ramps are expected to open in October.

Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits

A public records request for Flock camera footage has raised questions about what data is exempt under state law.

Former barista claims Starbucks violated Everett law

The part-time worker wanted more hours, but other workers were hired instead, the lawsuit alleges.

New chief medical officer joins Providence Swedish North Puget Sound

Dr. Sanjiv Tewari will oversee more than 1,500 physicians and clincians in Everett, Edmonds and Mill Creek.

Hangar 420 is pictured on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in unincorporated Snohomish County, Washington, less than half a mile away from the Lynnwood border. On Monday, the Lynnwood voted to lift its 10-year ban on retail cannabis. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood nips city cannabis ban in the bud

The City Council lifted the city’s 10-year retail cannabis ban Monday, allowing up to four stores near Highway 99 and Alderwood Mall.

Ballot envelopes sit in the Thurston County elections center. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)
Washington denies DOJ request for voter rolls

Washington’s secretary of state on Tuesday denied the Trump administration’s request for… Continue reading

Artwork is found throughout La Conner, including along its channel boardwalk. (Jon Bauer / The Herald)
Fall for La Conner: fewer crowds, full charm

A local shares why autumn is the best-kept secret in this artsy waterfront town.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.