SYDNEY, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Multiple investigations are underway into an Australian care worker who allegedly supplied a child with methamphetamines.
The female employee of Wesley Mission Victoria was reportedly not stood down by her employer until the day after the mother of the 16-year-old girl demanded immediate action.
The girl told her mother that the worker had given her and other children in the residential care unit ice and marijuana as well as taking the children to her own inner-city home.
The mother, who remained anonymous for legal reasons, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that she had seen messages between her daughter and the worker that proved she had been to the employee's house and at least discussed drug use.
"How is that appropriate, to be socializing and messaging with a child you are supposed to be looking after, let alone supplying them and other kids with drugs?" the mother said.
The allegations are being separately investigated by Victoria Police and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the government agency responsible for residential care.
The worker reportedly visited the mother after the complaint was made with another child from the unit.
"I can't believe she was allowed to keep working, and also put me and my family at risk by bringing this other girl to my house," the mother said.
"I really feel they treated me like an idiot, and have only begun to take this seriously because I spoke out and contacted the media."
Kelly Stanton, acting chief operating officer of Wesley Mission Victoria, said the organization was taking the allegations seriously.
"Our first priority is the welfare of our client, and we continue to provide both our client and their family with support while this matter is being investigated," Stanton said.
"Wesley, the Department of Health and Human Services and Victoria Police are currently looking into this incident and the employee involved has been stood down until the completion of these investigations. All allegations made in relation to this incident will be thoroughly and carefully investigated."
"We're also commissioning an independent review to assess the management of our early response to these allegations."
