Texas AG Office Didn't Pursue Abuse Case

Texas Ranger Sgt. Brian Burzynski speaks to members of a Joint Committee on the Operation and Management of the Texas Youth Commission Thursday, March 8, 2007, in Austin, Texas. Burzynski is one of the first law authorities to investigate allegations of sexual abuse at the West Texas State School. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck) (Harry Cabluck - AP)

"In short, I had to file it with the local DA that I didn't want to in the beginning," Burzynski's e-mail said. "He hasn't done anything with it and I am losing hope that he will before the statute of limitations expires."

At a Thursday legislative hearing, Republican state Sen. Chris Harris of Arlington criticized Abbott's office for not getting involved sooner.

When questioned by Harris on Thursday, Deputy Attorney General Don Clemmer said he did not know if anyone from his office talked to the district attorney.

Strickland said Friday that the attorney general's office began an aggressive investigation once Reynolds asked for help this January. Reynolds did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

Also Friday, the TYC official responsible for investigating abuse claims was suspended with pay amid allegations that he redacted information related to reports of sexual abuse by the Pyote facility's employees.

Ray Worsham, director of the TYC's office of youth care investigations, had participated in an internal investigation into the abuse claims.

"There were allegations that he had done some unauthorized redacting of documents," said TYC spokesman Jim Hurley. "I can't comment on the legality of what was done, but ethically it's wrong. No state employee should ever do that. It will not be tolerated."

Worsham is being suspended while the allegations are investigated, Hurley said. There was no telephone listing for Worsham.