The Carbon County Commissioners have terminated the top official at the county’s Office of Children and Youth.

At their regular meeting on Thursday, the commissioners voted to approve an “employment separation” with Sallianne Schatz Newton, effective March 2.

The commissioners said they could not elaborate on the reason for the separation because it is a personnel issue.

Newton served with the Office of Children and Youth for more than two decades.

She could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Marianne Grabartis was appointed as interim administrator of the office at a rate of $27.12 per hour.

Commissioner Wayne Nothstein said it will probably be some time before a permanent replacement for the position due to the qualifications needed.

Applicants need to be approved by the state civil service commission before interviews can take place.

“Hopefully we’ll be looking for someone with a few years experience, not only as a case worker, but as a supervisor,” Nothstein said.

Nothstein said there should be no disruption in the functions of the department.

He said that the office’s case load has grown in recent years, and there is a large amount of turnover among case workers.

The office investigated 238 child abuse reports in 2018, the most recent year available, and found that 37 were substantiated.

In 2017, there were 243 total child abuse reports, and 26 were found to be substantiated.

The agency was audited by the state Auditor General in 2018. That agency found that in recent years, the office was paying contractors for in-home services without proper evidence that the contractors actually provided the services.

“It’s an extremely tough job. They’re making some serious decisions,” he said.

Last year, the office reported that the number of child placements had grown significantly due to an increase in drug and alcohol use by parents and children, as well as homelessness and mental health issues in the community.