STUART -- State investigators have called for a formal inquiry into possible sexual misconduct by top officials at a state facility for sex offenders.

There are allegations that Martin Treatment Center officials used a sex toy to tease and harass other employees at a party at a restaurant last year.

Investigators also say consensual sex occurred between men detained at the center, which houses sexual predators held under the Jimmy Ryce Act after their prison terms expire.

Greg Venz, director of the Department of Children and Families' sexually violent predator program, said he learned of the sex toy incident last year but took no formal action because it occurred after hours, away from the center.

The center's security director, Morris McDaniel -- who has since been fired -- told state officials after the Oct. 26 party that a center psychologist brought the sex toy, along with condoms and pornographic photographs, to a going-away party for clinical director Kurt Bumby at a Stuart restaurant.

McDaniel said Bumby rubbed the toy on a female employee's neck and face. He said she covered her face and asked him to stop.

Dr. Robert Briody, executive director at the treatment center, told investigators no one complained to him about the incident.

Judge postpones mother's trial in son's 1995 death

BRADENTON -- More than five years after Heather Ciambrone was arrested in connection with the abuse-related death of her 7-year-old son Lucas, the state's case against the former Rubonia resident has been delayed again.

On Tuesday, Judge Durand Adams set a trial date of Jan. 2, because the state needs more time to interview witnesses.

The trial of Ciambrone, 31, was scheduled to begin Nov. 6. It has been delayed numerous times before. In August, her attorney asked for more time to prepare. Two years ago, she was found unfit to stand trial and sent to a state psychiatric facility.

Her husband, Joseph Ciambrone, 46, was convicted of first-degree murder in 1997 and is serving a life sentence.

Lucas Ciambrone weighed just 27 pounds and had more than 200 injuries when he died from a blow to the head on May 13, 1995.

State seeks help for mess left by Helene

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday asked for federal disaster relief to help pay for an estimated $15.5-million in damage Tropical Storm Helene caused in Florida.

Helene dropped more than 10 inches of rain in nine counties in the Big Bend area Sept. 22, less than a week after Tropical Storm Gordon caused nearly $10-million in damage farther south.

State officials said flooding caused by Helene damaged 169 homes and 23 businesses and washed out roads and damaged bridges in Leon and surrounding counties.

The disaster assistance is sought for Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Leon, Okaloosa and Wakulla counties.

Parents, coaches absolved in youth football melee

PORT ORANGE -- Police say a review of videotapes shows that parents and coaches tried to break up fighting at a Pop Warner football game, rather than join the brawl as reported earlier.

The fight between teams of 14- and 15-year-olds from Port Orange, and Winter Garden broke out Saturday night after Port Orange scored in overtime to win.

Some parents captured the fight on video cameras, and police took two videos as evidence. They showed that parents rushed from the stands to break up the players, not fight, said Port Orange police Chief Gerald Monahan. "I saw none of them getting involved in the conflict," he said.

He said the coaches also helped stop the fight.

Off the field, in a parking lot, a 31-year-old mother from Orlando was charged with resisting arrest and a 15-year-old player, the woman's son, was accused of battery on a law enforcement officer.

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Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk