Juvenile corrections head clears first reappointment hurdle

BOISE - A legislative panel is recommending Idaho's head of juvenile corrections be reappointed, despite a recent lawsuit alleging sexual abuse at a southwest Idaho detention center.

The Senate Judiciary and Rules committee's unanimous vote Friday marks the first cleared hurdle of Sharon Harrigfeld's reappointment process.

Harrigfeld will also have to be approved by a House committee, as well as both full chambers.

Chairman Sen. Marv Hagedorn from Meridian said the vote was originally set for Wednesday but was delayed to give lawmakers time to read public documents from the lawsuit.

Three former youths had filed separate lawsuits alleging sexual abuse before a group of seven more said they were also abused at the Nampa detention center.