Good Morning America Crocheting Star Arrested on Child Sex Offense Charges

Jonah Larson, the La Crosse, Wisconsin teenager celebrated on Good Morning America as a crocheting prodigy, was arrested in July 2025 on charges of sexual intercourse with a person under 16 with force and false imprisonment. He has since pleaded no contest to second-degree sexual assault of a child.

Larson, 17, had been living since May 2025 at the RHYMES (Runaway and Homeless Youth Mediation and Emergency Services) facility, a 24-hour shelter for runaway and homeless youth in La Crosse. Prosecutors allege that on the night of July 23, he entered the bedroom of a 12-year-old fellow resident, forced her against a wall, and sexually assaulted her. The victim told investigators Larson had also assaulted her on a prior occasion earlier that month. Larson told police he and the victim "only made out," but investigators found "significant inconsistencies" between his account and witness statements from others at the facility.

Formal charges, filed August 22, 2025 in La Crosse County court, were second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16 and misdemeanor bail jumping. Larson faced up to 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted. Judge Mark Huesmann set a $5,000 signature bond.

On December 18, 2025, Larson entered a no-contest plea and signed a two-year diversion agreement. The contract requires him to complete mental health assessments, establish a treatment plan, maintain no contact with the victim, and participate in healthy relationship education. He must complete the program by November 2027; if he does, the charge will be dismissed and no conviction will be entered. Other charges were dropped at the hearing.

Before his arrest, Larson was among the most recognizable young creators in the fiber arts world. He won a $10,000 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, founded Jonah's Hands, a nonprofit supporting education programs in Ethiopia, and built hundreds of thousands of social media followers. A multicolor crochet flower tote bag he designed had been selected for the Smithsonian American Art Museum's "The State Fair" exhibition, scheduled to run from August 2025 through September 2026. He graduated from Central High School in spring 2025 and delivered a featured address at the school's Memorial Day ceremony.

For crochet communities that hosted or promoted Larson, this case makes the case for having safeguarding protocols in place before a creator steps into a youth-facing space. If your studio or guild books designers for in-person workshops, particularly sessions involving minors, background checks and written youth protection policies are a baseline, not an afterthought. Review those policies now, and make sure young attendees and their families know clearly how to report concerns.

When a public creator faces serious criminal charges, pause active promotions, sponsored content, and ongoing social media collaborations under that person's name. Waiting for a final legal outcome before taking any action is not a neutral position.

Families with concerns about youth programming can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453, available 24 hours a day.