EL RENO, Oklahoma -
A group of former employees of the Canadian County Juvenile Justice Center allege their complaints were ignored by management after a former facility director made inappropriate comments, including one aimed at a minor.
The lawsuit filed by five former employees names the juvenile center, judge and administrator Bobby Hughey, and former facility director Daniel Kern, among others.
The group alleges Kern made lewd statements to staff and made sexual comments about himself and, in one instance, a 13-year-old girl.
Ronda Moss, a former assistant facilities director, said she overheard Kern make insulting statements about children with learning disabilities.
“These are the same kids that are there, that we’re supposed to be helping,” Moss said.
Hughey hired Kern as facility manager in March, 2019. Kern was fired from the position about eight months later, in November, amid an investigation by the county.
Each former employee claims they were either fired from their job or reprimanded after complaining about Kern’s behavior or pursuing legal action. It wasn’t until after News 9 published multiple stories that county officials began investigating the alleged misconduct.
Caitlin Taylor, Community Engagement and Relations Coordinator for the center, told News 9 on Wednesday, “we do not comment on pending litigation.”
Watch News 9 tonight at 10 for the full story.
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