Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former employee of an Idaho state-run center for people with serious developmental disabilities and mental health disorders has taken the first step toward suing the state, saying she was pulled from her job after reporting abuse and neglect.
The Idaho Statesman reports Kelly Hardy filed a tort claim against the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center in July. It's at least the third such claim filed by a former SWITC employee.
The center, in Nampa, has about 100 employees who care for about two dozen residents.
Hardy has worked for the Department of Health and Welfare since 2002, and she was promoted last year to a job overseeing some staff members at the center. She says that she became aware of incidents where staff members neglected or threatened residents, but when she reported her concerns to department leaders she was transferred to a different division.
A spokeswoman for Health and Welfare said the department does not comment on pending litigation.
___
Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
