Honorable Judge Bob Hughey

Honorable Judge Bob Hughey is a life-long resident of Canadian County and was appointed as Associate District Judge in 2008. In that capacity, he is responsible for the operations of the Gary E. Miller Canadian County Children’s Justice Center. In an effort to improve the outcome for the young people in our communities, the Center offers several programs and services for families and children. Judge Hughey also hears child welfare cases, delinquent cases, adoptions and guardianships. Judge Hughey’s work has impacted countless children and families in Canadian County.

Mallory Poplin

Mallory Poplin joins the team after a distinguished 20-year career with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. For the past 7 years she has served as the Child Welfare District Director for both Canadian County and Logan County, and she has a proven track record of leading successful programs and initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable youth and their families. Her background includes Child Protective Services, Permanency Planning, and Family Centered Service which aligns perfectly with the Center's mission to provide comprehensive services for children and families in need.  Mallory is also a Graduate Professor for the University of Oklahoma where she educates students on Trauma Informed Practice in Child Welfare. 

Now accepting applications for this position
Facility Co-Director

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Now accepting applications for this position!
Assistant Detention Director

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Amy Van Ness
Human Resources Manager

Amy Van Ness was born and raised in Oklahoma. Amy obtained her degree in Psychology to work toward improving work environments. Amy worked for the State of Oklahoma for 18 years in the service of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program and then for the Oklahoma State Department of Health in Administration. Amy has a passion for healthy communities and healthy work environments through public health collaborations. Amy’s self-care includes traveling, fishing, hiking, and gardening. She believes in treating everyone with kindness, courtesy and honesty.

Angel Colley
Director of Operations

Angel Colley is from Mustang, a lifelong Canadian County resident, and has worked for the CCCJC for more than ten years. She currently serves as Director of Operations, though she has held many important positions during her time at the facility. Additionally, she is the Director of Health and Safety for the center.

Arlesa Lehman
Supervised Visitation Program Supervisor

Arlesa Lehman currently serves as the Supervised Visitations Program Coordinator at Gary E. Miller Canadian County Children’s Justice Center. Arlesa is a proficient Educator, Instructional Coach, Early care to later life specialist, child and family advocate. Arlesa has works and studies that extend over thirty years within the Helping Profession. Arlesa holds a Bachelors in Human Services and a Master’s in Psychology. She has dedicated her life to servicing others. Arlesa uses her combined talents and skills to contribute to every aspect of the helping profession inclusive of the children and families utilizing services through SVP here at the CCJC. Outside of work, Arlesa is committed to her Faith, family, and friends. Arlesa is inspired daily by Canadian County’s mission to serve with Respect, Dignity, Fairness, and Compassion, as well as by her three adult children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys time with friends, reading, writing, shopping, karaoke, ID channel, Lifetime, and old/ new movies.

Brandi Smith
Drug Screening Program Supervisor

Brandi Smith resides in Canadian County with her husband, children, and dog. She graduated from Redlands and began working at the Canadian County Children's Justice Center in 2007. She transitioned from working in the group home to working in the Drug Screening Program in 2010 and has been the supervisor of that program since 2013. Brandi finds encouraging clients to be the most rewarding part of her job. Outside of work, Brandi owns a special event center and is actively involved in her faith community.

Connor Reece
Community Engagement and Relations Coordinator

Connor Reece, a lifelong Oklahoma resident, graduated from Oklahoma State University with a focus in clinical child and memory psychology. Before working for Canadian County, he was the supervisor of youth programming for the City of Mustang as well as a member of the Program for Assertive Community Treatment {PACT} team in Oklahoma City. He served as lead care navigator for the CHBS program for five years before pivoting to community engagement and outreach in 2023. He is passionate about advocacy and preventative services for children and families. When not at work, Connor enjoys making TikToks and playing with his dog Okie.

Eliza Botone
Director of Juvenile Probation

Eliza Botone was born and raised in Oklahoma and grew up in Binger, Oklahoma. She is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and a descendant of the Caddo, Wichita, Seminole and Creek nations. Eliza comes from a very large close knit family; so much so that they have to rent a facility to have birthdays and holidays so everyone can fit.

Eliza brings over 20 years of experience working with children and families to our team and has worked in the Probation office at the Gary E. Miller Children’s Justice Center since February of 2008. Eliza has been the Director of Juvenile Probation since the 2018. Outside of work, she enjoys watching her children play basketball and soccer, walking her German Shepard “Goku” and spending time with family.

Erin Jones-Slatev
Referee of the Court

Ms. Jones-Slatev, a fifth generation attorney, received a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas in 2000. From there, she attended the OU College of Law, graduating in May of 2003. Upon graduation from law school, she moved to the Kansas City metropolitan area, where her husband completed his residency in anesthesia.

In the fall of 2003, Ms. Jones-Slatev became the staff attorney at Safehome, a non-profit agency dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence. She represented women in protective order cases, domestic relations and name change actions. In the fall of 2005, Ms. Jones-Slatev transitioned to private practice, where she focused primarily on domestic relations cases. Ms. Jones-Slatev moved back to Oklahoma in 2007. In 2009, she began representing children in juvenile cases, guardianships and adoptions, and has continued in that role since.

As referee, Ms. Jones-Slatev conducts hearings in delinquent and child welfare matters, helping to avoid any backlog of juvenile cases for Canadian County. A Juvenile Court Referee’s responsibilities are very similar to the role of a judge. A referee will conduct hearings and consider the evidence that has been presented. However, any findings or rulings by a referee are subject to review by the juvenile judge.

Jacqueline Richards
Assistant Group Home Director

Jacqueline Richards studied at American Christian College and Seminary and East Central University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Juvenile Justice and holds a Master’s degree in Management-Human Resources Management. Jacqueline is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and has over 20 years of experience in drug and alcohol treatment. She has been with CCCJC since 2007. Jacqueline is passionate about faith, family and genealogy, and her work – She was awarded CCCJC's Employee of the Year for 2021!

Kimberly White M.ED/LADC/MH
Director of Behavioral Health

Kim has been a licensed alcohol alcohol/drug/mental health therapist since 2004. She obtained her associates of Science Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Degree at Oklahoma State University, Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling at American Christian College and Seminary; and Masters of Education with emphasis in community counseling from Southwestern Oklahoma state University. She has worked in the substance Abuse/Mental Health field for past 24 years and is a board approved supervisor for LADC/MH Candidates.

Kim has a passion for working with children, teens, adults and families. Kim has worked for Canadian County since 2005 and loves being part of a team that is passionate about serving the county. Getting to be part of the journey of healing is deeply rewarding, and she especially appreciates the opportunity to instill hope and encouragement to individuals; and seeing family’s restored.

In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with family, working in her yard, thrifting, spending time in nature, and playing with her very spoiled dog.

Kristin Harwell
Family Treatment Court Coordinator

Kristin Harwell was born and raised in Oklahoma. Being adopted as an infant, her love for social services developed very early on. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University in Family Relations and Child Development. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in Management from Southern Nazarene University. Her work for the Department of Human Services in Child Welfare for 10 years, for the City of Bethany as a Court Administrator, and in the private foster care sector has prepared her for her current role as the Family Treatment Court Coordinator. In this role, Kristin advocates, problem-solves, and supports clients in overcoming barriers to success, with the ultimate goal of assisting parents in gaining strength in their recovery, reunifying with their children, and successfully graduating from Family Treatment Court.

LaTanya Freeman
Director of Detention

LaTanya Freeman grew up in Chicago before coming to Oklahoma where she studied Criminal Justice at Langston University. She has been in the field for more than 20 years assisting adults and children. She previously served as the Assistant Director in Detention from 2001 – 2005 and returned as Director in 2013.

Michael Dunn
Fort Reno Group Home Manager

Michael Dunn was born and raised a Canadian County resident from Mustang, Oklahoma. Michael Graduated from Mustang High School and attended Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Community Counseling. Prior to Michael beginning work with Gary E. Miller Canadian County Children’s Justice Center, he provided home-based counseling services working predominately with youth and families. Michael takes great pride in the program and its mission to assist Canadian County youth in reducing and preventing negative life outcomes due to substance use and crime. In his free time, Michael enjoys riding bikes, playing basketball, and playing with his dogs.

Michelle Wilson
CHBS & PAS Supervisor and Camp Hope Director

Michelle Wilson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science from Oklahoma State University. Michelle is currently the Program Supervisor of Comprehensive Home-Based Services (CHBS) and Camp HOPE, Oklahoma Canadian County. Her education and career have always focused on her passion for working with children and families. Michelle’s professional life includes a commitment to serving the needs of children and families through prevention education and mentoring. She has been employed with the Gary E. Miller Children’s Justice Center since June 2008.

Nadia Cyprain
Restorative Justice Coordinator

Nadia was born in southern New Jersey, relocating to Oklahoma 27 years ago. She studied at Langston University, where her public service career began with the OCSO in 1999. She is passionate about servicing others in need. Nadia spends time volunteering for local non-profit agencies in various capacities. Outside of the rewarding services provided for CCJC, she works with resettling refugee families new to US.

Her four grandchildren are the drive for her efforts to add a little good in the world. She is committed to her Faith, and compassionate about her family and friends. She believes everyone we encounter should be treated with respect, care, compassion and empathy.

Nadia is currently working towards becoming a licensed sign language interpreter. Her self-care includes traveling, shopping, and various arts and crafts.

Tom Dillard
Director of Student Services

Tom has been serving as Director of Student Services at CCCJC since 2021. After receiving his Masters in Education from Rockhurst University, Tom relocated from Kansas to Oklahoma. Mr. Dillard has spent more than 15 years as an educator, during which time he taught middle school Social Studies and coached multiple sports. In 2018 Tom was awarded his Masters in Administration and Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University.