AlAn early childhood center worker has filed a lawsuit against her St. Clair County employer and supervisor alleging wrongful termination in 2014.
Ramah Crowell of Monroe County is suing La Petite Academy Inc. of Shiloh and its district manager Heather Sallay in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Crowell, employed with the defendant since June 1004, was terminated from her position as director of the facility on Oct. 20, 2014. The suit filed March 6 states that Crowell had discovered that an affiliated branch of La Petite Academy located in Hazelwood, Mo. was discarding students’ files in violation of state and federal law.
Specifically of concern to the plaintiff was the fact that paper records containing medical information and social security numbers were disposed of in an unsecured dumpster, according to the filing. When the plaintiff reported the activity according to protocol, she alleges, she was terminated solely based on her reporting the employer’s illicit practice.
Alleging that her firing violated Illinois public policy, and caused her personal damage, Crowell is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs. She is being represented in the case by Alvin Paulson of Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-132
Childcare professional alleges termination due to whistle-blowing
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