Duke research administration manager faces charges of felony child abuse

A Duke research administration manager at the School of Medicine was arrested last week and is facing charges of felony child abuse.

Prudence Shivers—who is listed as Charlyne Shivers in the Duke directory—was arrested for two counts of intentional child abuse inflicting serious injury Feb. 1. The two children, ages 4 and 6, were Shivers' foster children. Shivers' posted a $60,000 bond on Feb. 1 after being arrested. As part of her release, Shivers may not have contact with children under 16-years-old without supervision.

The 4-year-old had multiple lacerations on the back, stomach and buttocks, and the 6-year-old had multiple lacerations to the head, face and buttocks, according to a WNCN article. The police went to Shivers' home due to a referral from Child Protective Services. The foster children have been removed from the home.

Jill Boy, director of communications at the School of Medicine, deferred comment to Keith Lawrence, director of media relations at Duke News. Lawrence said Shivers started working at the Office of Research Administration in the medical school July 2009 as a research administration manager. She is still employed at Duke, Lawrence said.

Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, said when an employee is arrested on a felony charge there is a review of whether the employee should be placed on leave. He said those decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and that an employee would be placed on leave if they had been charged with a crime that could affect their ability to be an employee.

Associate Director of the ORA Jennifer McCallister declined to comment on the arrest.