A Butler County reform school yesterday fired four staff members who were working together on June 18 when a 17-year-old West Virginia youth suffered slash wounds to his face and ear requiring more than 20 stitches.

Joseph Daugerdas, a spokesman for the nonprofit corporation that operates The Summit Academy in Herman, said state Department of Public Welfare officials told the school yesterday that the state's investigation indicated one of the workers abused the boy.

The Summit Academy initially told state investigators that Devon Cooper, of Charles Town, lost his balance and fell into a glass cover on a fire hose cabinet.

But officials at Children's Hospital, where the boy was treated, reported to the Welfare Department that they suspected abuse.

Daugerdas said state officials informed the academy yesterday that it determined an allegation of abuse against worker Dave Akers is "indicated," meaning the department feels there is evidence that it is true.

Typically, officials with the state Department of Public Welfare do not take the more serious step of determining that an allegation is "founded" unless a worker is convicted of abuse charges in criminal court.

State police in Butler are investigating the incident.

In addition to Akers, the academy fired worker Joe Vacanti, who, according to the report filed by the school with the state, confronted Cooper about entering another student's room after "lights out."

Daugerdas has said, however, that Vacanti never touched Cooper.

In addition, the school terminated two other staff members, who Daugerdas declined to identify.

He said there were several reasons for the mass firing. "We were not sure if people were giving us the right information," he said.

The academy's investigation indicated that the school's procedures were not followed, he said.

Daugerdas said the school holds all staff members responsible for what occurs on their shift. It was felt, he said, that those not directly involved could have been more vigilant in intervening to prevent the situation.

"It should not have escalated to where it did simply because someone went into someone else's room," Daugerdas said.

"It sends a message that this will not be tolerated."