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Youth shelter worker accused of abuseBy Times staff writer © St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 2000 TAMPA -- A caregiver at a shelter in Lutz for abused children has been suspended and faces criminal charges for punching and kicking a 17-year-old girl under her supervision, officials said Tuesday. Desiree Thomas, 30, a caregiver at Joshua House for ninemonths, faces one count of child abuse. She was released on bail Tuesday morning. Joshua House is home to children ages 4-12 who have been abused and neglected. In some cases, teenage mothers stay there with their children. "We're unusual in that we're one of the only programs in the county that allows kids in (a Department of Children and Families) program to live with their own children," said Stacy Myers, program director at the Joshua House. "Usually, a teenage mom goes to one foster home and her child goes to another." Sheriff's officials said Thomas and the girl argued over chores while standing in a hallway about 9:30 p.m. Monday. When the girl tried to walk away, deputies said, Thomas held her arms out and blocked the hallway. The girl reacted by bumping against Thomas. Thomas responded by kicking her and punching her three times in the face, officials said. Other workers stepped in and called deputies. The 17-year-old girl did not require medical attention.
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