By Jeff Lehr

jlehr@joplinglobe.com

The Missouri Department of Social Services said Wednesday that a social worker accused of regularly smoking marijuana with a Granby couple in their foster home remains an employee of the state at this time.

Nova G. Propes, 44, a caseworker with the Children’s Division of the department, was charged Monday in Newton County Circuit Court with two counts of misdemeanor child endangerment.

A probable-cause affidavit filed with the court states that she is believed to have smoked marijuana with foster parents Wayne Anthony O’Neal Sr., 32, and Christel J. O’Neal, 29, on several occasions in the master bedroom of the O’Neals’ home at 225 E. Newton St. in Granby during in-home visits with one or more of the foster children living there.

Ana Compain-Romero, communications director for the state department, said Propes has worked for the Children’s Division since 2000. Other than to confirm that Propes remains an employee of the division, she said she could not discuss the caseworker’s employment status because of departmental policies governing personnel matters.

“Obviously, we don’t tolerate this type of behavior in our employees,” Compain-Romero said. “If these allegations prove to be true, the severest personnel action will be taken.”

The O’Neals also were charged with two counts each of misdemeanor child endangerment. No arrests were made. Summonses were issued instead after charges were filed.

Propes is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 17. The O’Neals’ arraignments are set for Sept. 4.

The probable-cause affidavit states that 10 children were living in the home during the time frame in early August on which the charges are based. Eight of the children were foster children, and two were the O’Neals’ children. Three of the foster children were on temporary placements in the home, according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Department.

Chief Deputy Chris Jennings of the Sheriff’s Department said seven children — five foster children and both of the O’Neals’ children — were removed from the home this week.

Wayne O’Neal was convicted last year on misdemeanor bad-check and theft charges. He was assessed a fine in one conviction, and a suspended imposition of sentence and probation on the other.

Compain-Romero said she did not know whether the Children’s Division was aware of those convictions. She said criminal background checks are conducted before the licensing of foster parents and with each two-year renewal of their licenses.

The O’Neals received their foster-parenting license in October 2005, before Wayne O’Neal’s arrests and convictions. They would be due for another background check this fall if they seek a renewal.