DHS Terminates Another Worker On Serenity Deal Case

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- As the Department of Human Services continues its investigation into the death of a 5-year-old girl placed in state custody, the embattled state agency fires another worker.

Randy Lack is the second case worker within a week to be fired for their handling of the Serenity Deal case. He was served with a 55-page termination letter from DHS Tuesday morning.

News 9 spoke with Lack just last week about his role in the Serenity Deal case.

9/13/2011 Related Story: DHS Workers Involved In Serenity Deal Case Speak Out

Lack is one of four workers at DHS placed on administrative leave pending the agency's investigation into her death. Lack said at the time he did not see any issues placing Serenity with her biological father, Sean Brooks, despite two incidents where she sustained substantial bruising during her overnight visits with him.

Brooks now stands accused of her murder. DHS states Lack failed to follow policy and procedures in her case, including checking out Sean Brooks' background.

In the letter, DHS states Lack was terminated for unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, willful failure, dishonesty and neglect of duty and claiming Lack wrote false reports and emails and knowingly withheld information in the case.

Lack has repeatedly stated he did nothing wrong and plans to fight his termination and sue DHS. His supervisor, Jennifer Shawn, was fired last week.

9/15/2011 Related Story: DHS Worker On Serenity Deal Case Is Officially Terminated

In a statement sent to News 9, Lack's attorney, Pete Serrata, stated "the hearing officer found exactly what DHS intended, given their continued withholding of documents and their incomplete and haphazard investigation. This decision only compounds the tragedy of Serenity's death and ensures that more children will suffer."

A DHS spokesperson also told News 9 as a result of this investigation, both the Lincoln County and Pottawatamie County DHS offices are being intensely assessed. They are reviewing all their communications, emails, phone calls and decision making policies.