OKEMAH, OK. (AP) - An Okfuskee County jury has returned a $4.55 million verdict against a mental health agency and a counselor who allegedly failed to report sexual abuse.

The panel on Tuesday awarded $1 million in actual damages each to three children whose mother admitted to sexually abusing one of them. Jurors also awarded $1.5 million in punitive damages against Creoks Mental Health Services and $50,000 in punitive damages against Creoks counselor Krista Roseborough.

According to testimony, Roseborough hid information about the woman's admission from a judge and the Department of Human Services. Attorney Jerry Colclazier, who represented the children, told The Oklahoman that because the information was withheld the abuse continued.

A telephone listing for Roseborough was disconnected. A Creoks official didn't immediately return a message for comment Thursday.

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