Published: February 21, 2007 11:42 pm      

Social worker boozed minors

Allegedly gave liquor to 4 girls, none clients

LOUISA — A Lawrence County social worker was arrested last week for allegedly serving alcohol to teenage girls at a party.

Ruth J. Horn, 32, of Louisa, was charged with four counts of third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, a Class A misdemeanor. Each count carries a jail sentence of up to one year.

The charges stem from a party Horn hosted at her residence on Jan. 27, Kentucky State Police at Ashland said. Four girls, ranging in age from 15 to 18, allegedly were given alcoholic beverages by Horn during the party, according to the KSP.

The allegations were reported to the KSP by a supervisor with the state Division of Protection and Permanency, who had received a complaint about Horn allegedly allowing the girls to drink, said Trooper Elliott Gollihue, spokesman for the Ashland post.

Gollihue said the girls were “friends and acquaintances” of Horn’s, not teens she had come into contact with during the course of her job.

Horn was arrested Feb. 11 and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

The five-year veteran of the Division of Protection and Permanency resigned her position this week, the KSP said.

The allegations against Horn remain under investigation by Detective Mark Padgett.