Melissa Blasius
12 News Phoenix
November 20, 2007
A former employee at a residential treatment center for kids has been arrested and accused of having sex with a teen client. Phoenix officers picked up 33-year-old Kennedy Seroni Friday on a warrant in the case from summer 2006.
Seroni and another employee at Devereux Arizona were accused by a 15-year-old who was treated at the center. Police say Seroni made incriminating statements early in the case, but they waited for a formal charges from the County Attorney.
The teen's father tells 12 News the girl was being treated for substance abuse and behavioral issues including misappropriated sexual advances toward men. He says the employees preyed upon a vulnerable child who had been placed in the center by the court system.
A Devereux spokeswoman declined to talk about the case, citing confidentiality. She says all employees attend training about boundaries and sexual incident prevention. They also undergo background checks. According to Devereux, the background check processes has been enhanced since summer 2006, and employees are no longer allowed to be alone with clients of the opposite sex.
