(The Center Square) - As Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families Secretary Tana Senn battles allegations of fraud within its childcare subsidy program, a whistleblower directly told her last year there is “major theft” occurring at the Echo Glen facility run by her agency, according to messages obtained by The Center Square through a public records request.
The June 2025 message, sent to Senn, warned that the theft was occurring with the knowledge of DCYF personnel who actively covered it up.
Echo Glen is a medium to maximum security juvenile rehabilitation facility that first opened in 1967 and is located in Snoqualmie. It is the only state juvenile facility in Washington that houses female offenders of up to 25 years old. It houses male offenders up to 18.
According to a recent agency report, the facility has experienced high staff turnover and retention issues, along with overtime demands and long distances staff must travel due to cost of living in the region.
DCYF has received criticism recently over its handling of the facility, ranging from lax security to low staff levels allowing inmate escapes and assaults. The facility does not have a fence though one is currently being built.
In 2024, the agency settled a lawsuit filed by 13 counties when it suspended intakes of newly sentenced juvenile offenders.
According to the text messages, Senn met with the whistleblower in person several times, saying she was “very much interested in learning more” about the theft problems. A follow up message in July from the whistleblower referenced being deposed.
The Center Square reached out to the State Auditor’s Office to see if it had been informed of any theft. Responding on the agency’s behalf, Adam Wilson wrote in an email that “we have not received any information from DCYF regarding a loss of public funds or resources; we don’t have an open case in that regard.”
The Center Square also reached out to the Department of Social and Health Services to see if their fraud division had had any reports of theft within DCYF. Media Relations Manager Jessica Nelson wrote in an email that their Office of Fraud and Accountability “investigates allegations of fraud relating to public benefits referred to us by DCYF and other state agencies, or that are received through our 24-hour fraud hotline (800-562-6906) and online reporting form. If the allegations fall outside of that category, DSHS Office of Fraud and Accountability would not investigate.”
The Center Square contacted DCYF via phone and email requesting an interview with Senn to discuss the public records. When Director of External Communication Nancy Gutierrez inquired what the records were about, The Center Square requested to discuss it on the phone to protect the identity of the whistleblower.
The Center Square did not receive a follow up response.
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