TEXARKANA, Ark. - After spending just under an hour in executive session, Miller County Quorum Court members agreed to suspend the county's Juvenile Detention Center's director, Mary Choate without pay.
The county's justices of the peace held a special meeting Monday to resolve an issue regarding Choate being paid while still being prohibited from going to work, owing to a court order banning her from being on the center's property.
The order issued last September accuses Choate of publicly threatening to fire the center's administrator for reporting to a juvenile court hearing in August as ordered by Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson. The administrator's summonsing and testimony concerned the early release of two juvenile detainees.
Specifically, the order prohibits Choate from being within 1,000 feet of the center or the juvenile court offices. It also warns her not to contact juvenile detention employees as well as instructs Miller County law enforcement to arrest Choate should she be found in violation of the order.
Following JPs' unanimous decision, Choate's attorney, Jason E. Owens, of Conway, Ark. said he will continue to work on preparing his client's case should it ultimately go to trial.
Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison said that Choate is presently still employed by the county.
"This is just a suspension, not a termination," she said.