MADISON Co. Tenn. (March 30, 2015) – Monday morning Vatisha Evans-Barken had her case heard before the county’s Civil Service Commission.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Department defended firing the former investigator to the commission three-person panel.

According to Evans-Barken’s attorney, Brad Hornsby, his client was wrongfully terminated. Hornsby says the sheriff failed to notify his client she needed to return to work.

According to her personnel file, Evans-Barken was fired from her job as a criminal investigator last September because of poor attendance.

According to Madison County deputy mayor Tony White, Evans-Barken went on medical leave after April 29 and did not return to work.

The Civil Service Commission will deliberate and is expected to make a decision within the next few weeks.