Social Worker Accused in NC Abuse Case Back on Job A North Carolina social worker accused of failing to take action on complaints that could have saved a 15-month-old girl's life has returned to her job investigating child abuse cases. Candice Lassiter was charged in February with three counts each of obstruction of justice and forgery in the investigation of Aubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohn's death. Lassiter was suspended with pay, but returned to work Monday. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lassiter she Thursday she couldn't talk about why she was reinstated. County officials didn't return repeated telephone calls. Littlejohn's family says they're outraged Lassiter is back at work. Littlejohn's great aunt, LadyBird Powell, is charged with second-degree murder in the toddler's death. She has also pleaded not guilty.