BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Council on Aging has fired two of its Meals on Wheels program employees after they allegedly mishandled 17 program meals worth approximately $1,000.

The two staff members failed to deliver their assigned meals to homebound seniors on Friday and Monday, according to the agency. The meals stayed in agency vehicles over the weekend and spoiled.

The agency alleges the employees disposed of the boxes at the Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance warehouse in an attempt to conceal the incident.

The agency has reported the incident to Baton Rouge Police Department and plans to pursue prosecution. 

"Our Meals on Wheels program exists for one reason: to ensure that our seniors are fed, safe and never forgotten," said Tasha Clark-Amar, CEO of EBRCOA. "These allegations describe a profound breach of trust placed in us by our seniors, by their families, and by the public.

"The individuals involved were terminated immediately. We have met with law enforcement and will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. EBRCOA will also be seeking full restitution. Theft and mismanagement will not be tolerated at any level of this organization."

The impacted seniors will receive replacement meals, according to EBRCOA. 

EBRCOA will not identify the former employees and will offer no further comment on the investigation, the agency said in a prepared statement on social media, because the incident is an active personnel and law enforcement matter.