The former Green Hill School corrections staff member who was under internal investigation prior to her termination now faces charges of custodial sexual misconduct, according to Chehalis police.
Amy M. Karns, 53, of Winlock, was scheduled to make a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
According to a news release from the Chehalis Police Department, police were first notified of the possible sexual misconduct on March 12, the day after a Green Hill staff member reported the incident to Child Protective Services.
On March 14, investigators learned the juvenile detention facility possessed video evidence that allegedly shows Karns “engaging in inappropriate contact with a 20-year-old male inmate at the facility,” according to the release.
“On March 20, 2026, at about the same time the Washington state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) released a press release regarding this investigation, the Chehalis Police Department received video evidence from Green Hill School further documenting the inappropriate contact,” the release states.
The next day, police arrested Karns and booked her into the Lewis County Jail for three counts of second-degree custodial sexual misconduct.
The court set bail at $25,000 cash or bond, according to jail records.
On Friday, March 20, DCYF issued a news release saying the former employee had been removed from their position following an internal investigation.
Green Hill staff reportedly began the investigation after receiving a tip on March 11.
According to the release, the employee was “immediately assigned to other duties.” DCYF stated the individual was no longer a DCYF employee as of March 13.
"The safety of young people in our care is our highest obligation and we remain committed to maintaining a culture at Green Hill focused on rehabilitation and no tolerance for misconduct," said Harold Wright Jr., superintendent of Green Hill School.
Chehalis police say the case remains under investigation.
“In 2025, the Chehalis Police Department conducted 117 investigations related to Green Hill School, requiring nearly 300 hours of investigative time,” the department said in its release.
