Lee County woman fired for reporting assault is awarded $100,000

A Lee County jury awarded $100,000 to a woman who claims she was fired for reporting an assault.

Heather Walters worked for Brandi’s Hope Community Services in Tupelo, Miss., for about 11 months when she was fired in 2017, reports the Clarion Ledger. Brandi’s Hope serves people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Walters says she reported abuse of a patient by a coworker, Cleatonia “Tony” Burns, to her superior via text message and photos in March 2017. Shortly thereafter, Walters was reprimanded for using her personal phone to report the incident. A few days later, she received a termination letter stating that she had violated company policy.

Last May, Burns pleaded guilty to striking a 21-year-old patient, was sentenced to probation for one year and fined $1,000.

Walter’s lawsuit claimed her firing was an attempt to hide the assault.

Brandi’s Hope continues to deny the allegation, and their attorney is evaluating the case for a possible appeal,